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courage to face my surgery. In fact, I felt Swami’s protective presence so strongly as I prepared for surgery that I could see his orange robe vividly in my mind’s eye. The image was so clear that it was almost visible in the outer world as well. Perhaps when we are most vulnerable we are also most open to seeing him near and dear. I felt safe as I was wheeled into surgery.
The surgery went relatively smoothly. During the first few days aerward, as I sat on the bed with my feet dangling over the side, I wondered if I would get my strength back. I worried about my ability to get back to work. Most worrisome was whether I would ever have the strength to serve Swami, or to travel to be in his physical presence again. I knew that Swami has the power to give us life or take it. I prayed for the strength to accept everything as his will, but my clear preference was to recover so that I could continue to serve him.
By Swami’s grace, I was able to take a trip to see him within six months and three more trips within the first two years post surgery. During the first trip there were not many at the ashram, and Sharon and I enjoyed quiet close times with Swami. Aer fearing that I would never see him again, I was ecstatic at being in his presence and feeling bathed by the light of his omnipresent protection.
In Him After Death
Dr. K. Hanumanthappa told me a story that he heard while siing on the veranda of the temple, which illustrates that we are literally within the light, the very body of God. A respected Indian politician came to Prasanthi Nilayam and was chosen by Swami for an interview. He came out of the interview weeping uncontrollably. Dr. K. Hanumanthappa wondered what had happened, but it would have been improper to ask.
Soon Swami came out of the interview room and gave the man some holy vibhuti ash, which quieted him. Aer a few minutes, the man leaned toward Dr. K. Hanumanthappa and asked if he was a prior vice chancellor of Swami’s university.
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