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insights from the field of yoga to the Soviets. I felt Swami’s hand in this unexpected turn of events.
Sharon and I traveled with Ramaa to Moscow in October 1988, seven months aer Swami had given his permission. I had no clear plan. Perhaps Ramaa could introduce us to a publisher. We were met at the airport by Tanya, the interpreter, and learned about the next-day meeting at the Academy of Science, Department of Psychology, where we were to speak to an editor of one of their journals.
A Surprise Meeting
Vladimir Chusikov was a 70-year-old psychologist at the academy who ran 10 miles every day. He appeared wiry and trim, and was very friendly. Instead of the expected discussion with him about printing excerpts of the book in his monthly journal, he ushered me to a large conference room. The room was filled with psychologists, and I was surprised to learn that I was the guest speaker. Everyone was assembled and waiting to hear me talk about my experiences with Sathya Sai Baba. Though I was caught off-guard, having had years of experience talking about Swami, I wasn’t completely unprepared.
How would this audience react to what I was about to say? I didn’t know much about the Russian temperament or what would catch their interest. Even though I knew beer, I wondered, “Is Sai Baba’s life and message of universal interest?”
I sensed the anguish of the Russian people through their loss of so many in World War II and under Stalin. As of this date, they still struggle with immense problems concerning civil rights and poverty. “Oh Swami,” I prayed, “Let me be a good instrument of your love.”
I told the audience that I had been a psychiatrist for over 25 years, and 9 years into my practice I wondered if the physical and mental abilities of man extended beyond what was known in our field. Aware that the Russians had studied paranormal
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