A spiritual community consists of more than buildings and departments. The essence of this Ashram is the people who have come here for the purpose of God-realisation. Their spiritual aspirations energize and spiritualize the atmosphere of the Ashram. Without their presence the buildings here have little meaning. Just to repeat, it is the spiritual people in an organisation that make it a "spiritual organisation." In light of that fact, we wanted to offer a series of conversations with some respected long-term residents or visitors to the Ashram, whose inspiring stories will help bring the reader closer in contact with what the Sivananda Ashram really is. These persons are all very sincere aspirants who are seriously pursuing their spiritual practice-in different ways possibly, but all with the same ultimate goal in mind. The fact is that these people are quite humble and seek no publicity for themselves. Therefore, we have not identified them by name, and we have limited personal details that would not be helpful to the general reader. Four questions were posed to them to which they could respond:

"How did you come to be in the spiritual life; that is, what was your background and upbringing and how were they instrumental is bringing you, in your inner and outer journeys, to where you are now?"

"How did you come to be in the Sivananda Ashram; what was your path to get to this specific place?"

If the person being interviewed was a monk (sannyasi) they were asked, "What factors led you to become a monk?"

"What spiritual practice are you carrying on-what methods are you using, and what practices seem to have been most beneficial for you?"

List of Quotes from "Personal Spiritual Journeys"

Journey -1
"The intensity of devotion and concentration should be like Sita concentrating on Lord Rama while she was kidnapped and held prisoner."

Journey -3
"If you surrender to God and take a vow not to commit more sins, you are a child of God. This has happened in my life. This is my wealth."

Journey - 4
"A love developed, more than a father and son. This was something beyond any human relationship. Even a remembrance of that relationship is sufficient for me."

Journey - 5
"This swami was the great Swami Chidanandaji of Sivananda Ashram, but I did not know this at the time. When I looked at him I was almost in tears-he was so beautiful to behold. I could see my own guru in him."

Journey - 6
" God and guru's grace have done everything for me. The scriptures say, "If a person makes one step towards God, He comes ten steps toward us."

Journey - 7
"Having asked the question and received an answer, there was no question in my mind but that I must obey. It was a turning point in my life."

Journey - 8
"True spirituality starts when you accept "God alone is!" He is not one of the aspects of life, but the aspect of life. One lives for God and God alone.

Journey - 9
"On the way I met a sadhu who was begging in the streets, but who had some very great advice for me. He said, "Until you attain your aim and master, don't go with anybody else."

Journey - 10
"Don't think that Swami Sivananda is not here. He has not gone anywhere. Whatever is happening in this Ashram is according to his wish. Don't ever think that he is not present in this very place!"

Journey - 11
"At that moment I felt as if a key was opening my heart. Since then I have felt that that act of obedience was the beginning of the guru-disciple relationship."

Journey - 12
"At about age 16 I woke one night with an experience of absolute bliss, in a blinding warm light, and knew for sure that everything was okay. Fully awake with eyes open, the room disappeared. I was bathed in love, like Iwere being held."

Journey - 13
"At times I have had darshan of Shridi Sai Baba in my meditation, and also Swami Sivananda has spoken to me while in meditation. He will come to me and answer my questions."

Journey - 14
"Whatever comes my way, I offer at the feet of Gurudev. I asked him to allow me to be compassionate, to serve all lovingly and to help them in any way possible-and that he will give me the strength to carry this out to the best of my ability."

Journey - 15
"I saw a very pious and holy looking monk passing by me to take a bath in the river. I asked him his name and he said, pointing at his chest, " People call this body Swami Chidananda."