A Journey of Grace: Embracing Spirituality Through Love and Laughter

Discovering the Teachings of Ram Dass

In 2018, I began my journey with my spiritual teacher ie. Gurudeva. A dear friend, who was also a devotee, recommended I read A Miracle of Love by Ram Dass. "I don’t know," he said, "but when I read it, something happens. It’s like pure Grace." I smiled, feeling complete after meeting Gurudeva. At that moment, I had plenty of His teachings to study. The thought of adding another teacher felt overwhelming. My path was clear, and my heart was full.

A Sudden Change: Leaving for Europe

By 2019, my US visa was about to expire, and travel restrictions were tightening. In a rush, I booked a one-way ticket to Europe. The atmosphere at LAX was heavy. Everyone wore masks, and we all clutched disinfectant wipes. Fear was palpable. As I walked through the airport, I searched for a little souvenir to hold onto. I found a pair of silly socks, packed them, and boarded the plane. Little did I know that I would be away from California for the next three years due to travel bans and medical restrictions. My nostalgic heart wore those socks until the holes were too wide to ignore.

Finding Solace in the Mountains

In November 2020, I found myself back in Switzerland, surrounded by the serene silence of the mountains. It wasn’t my plan, but the covid virus had taken my stepfather. And by that point, nothing seemed to go as planned anyways. Yet, I felt held by my faith. I found someone who took a chance on me and rented me an apartment (in Switzerland as someone who had lived abroad for 10 years with no records there was definitely a little wind of luck under my shoulders). So here I was nestled in Valais, above the clouds at 1200 meters altitude cows in the pasture under my window. There I practiced my yoga and studied jyotisha and the vedas embracing my identity as "a good yogi."

Alone in the mountains with my dog, I woke up early, practiced deeply, prepared my one meal a day, and walked in the forest. I began my Vedic Astrology studies. Life was simple, and I had very little with me at that point, a cot, a desk, a few sheets, and two changes of clothes. All my belongings were still in California.

The Influence of Ram Dass

During this time, I started listening to Ram Dass, and I was instantly captivated. His talks on spiritual pride and the desire to be "holy" resonated deeply with me. I was immersed in my own renunciation, and his words provided perspective and a reminder of what truly mattered. He had experienced it all, the robe, the hours in meditation, and the exhilaration of the practice. He returned to the West, reminding us that we are all just here in this moment, releasing the need to be special.

After some time, I downloaded A Miracle of Love, Ram Dass’s book about his Guru, Maharaji. Just as my friend had described, I began reading and felt Maharaji’s presence, His joy, grace, and playful energy. Each day, I set aside a bit of my home-cooked yogi food on a small plate, found His photo in the book, and made an offering. I’d pray and then eat. This became a sweet, sacred ritual between us.

Back to Paris

A few months later, I traveled to Paris to visit family. I had long wanted to order a lotus seed mala and decided to browse through Ram Dass’s nonprofit store. I found the mala and thought it would be nice to have a small photo of Ram Dass for my altar. I discovered a travel puja set, a small metal box embroidered with Ram Dass’s photo on one side and Hanuman on the other. Inside, it contained a mini candle and incense. They also had a version with Maharaji’s photo. I hesitated. No, no, I already have a Guru. I’ll get the one with Ram Dass.

I placed my order and forgot about it.

An Unexpected Gift

A few weeks later, the package arrived. I opened it, expecting Ram Dass’s face to greet me. Instead, there was Maharaji! I burst out laughing. The box was labeled "Ram Dass Puja travel set," but it contained Maharaji inside. It felt like a cosmic joke, a wink from the universe. I laughed until tears streamed down my face. In that moment, I made a promise: "I’ll never travel without you. I’ll always take you with me." I surrendered to him in some ways I guess we're sticking together for while.

A Lasting Reminder of Divine Presence

Five years later, that little puja box with Maharaji’s photo still travels with me everywhere. It serves as a reminder that the divine doesn’t always arrive as we expect, but always as we need.