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Just prior to my leaving for Delhi and while seated on the veranda of the temple during darshan, Swami unexpectedly motioned me to come to him. Kneeling before him and surrounded by thousands he quietly asked, “Are you going?” “Yes Swami, immediately aer darshan,” I replied. “You can meet them in Bangalore,” he unexpectedly said without my having previously discussed the itinerary with him. I was surprised because the Russians would arrive at the Delhi airport, and I was planning to welcome them there. I would then accompany them by plane to Bangalore where a bus would take us to the ashram. If I were in Bangalore when they arrived, who would meet them in Delhi and accompany them to Bangalore? Why at this last minute would Swami throw me into this confusion? In response to my puzzlement Swami asked, “Did you promise to meet them in Delhi?” “Yes Swami, and then accompany them here.” “Then you can go to Delhi.” Returning to my place on the veranda, I wondered why this interchange. Aer darshan, I hurried to my room to get my traveling bag.
Sharon was waiting for me as I opened the door. “Did you hear?” She said, “I was passing the telephone room (the only public phone in the ashram) when the phone rang, and I heard someone say there was a call for Dr. Sandweiss. I was surprised and said that I was your wife and could take the message. It was from Delhi, telling us that the Russians had just sent word that they could not get their visas and it was questionable whether they would be able to take the trip.”
Just seconds before I was to leave for Delhi, I encountered the first of many obstacles that lay waiting for me. The big question was whether I would remain detached.
With my hopes now somewhat ruffled, off I went to Delhi. The trip quickly turned into an inquiry on the proper approach to uncertainty and puzzlement. Even though I knew it was a game, I got caught up in the drama. Even though I knew from the start that Swami gave me this wonderful assignment and that he would protect me, if only I did my best without
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