Photo, Google Images: Swami Paramahansa Hariharananda Giri
Small of stature,
and calm of voice,
his demeanor sweet,
gentle and wise.
Long hair, thinning,
accepting, brown,
soft, eyes with
large bags underneath.
Fluffy, white beard
that smelled of
sandalwood, always
with a mala around his neck.
Ochre clothing he wore
like the swami he was,
with kumkum paste
denoting his third eye.
Initiating those
who were sincere,
he led them in the
ways of kriya yoga.
Continuing the
teachings as had
the lineage before,
with reverent devotion.
He addressed me
as ‘Mother’ or
‘Gayle Ma’, always
bestowing respect.
I was honored to
serve this man
of God, preparing his
dal and basmati rice.
Demonstrating the
“breathless state”, a
group of students
were left in awe.
He touched my
heart, he touched
my soul…I want
to bow a thousand times.
For several years, after I left the ashram life, I studied with Swami Paramanhansa Hariharananda Giri, affectionately known as, Baba, by his students. He was a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yoganada, the founder of Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) and author of “Autobiography of a Yogi.” They were teachers of kriya yoga, continuing on the lineage of those before them. Baba had been initiated by Yogananda and lived in his ashram in Puri, Orissa, India.
Victoria invites us to describe character at dVerse Poets: http://dversepoets.com/2012/08/23/meeting-the-bar-writing-characters/
Sharing this with Souldipper Amy for Occupy Blogosphere: http://souldipper.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/occupy-blogosphere-thursday-august-23-2012/
Bodhirose's Blog 
Heaven (@asweetlust)
/ August 23, 2012My son is into yoga himself so your words resonated with me. I specially like how deeply he influenced you with:
He touched my
heart, he touched
my soul…I want
to bow a thousand times.
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2012He did influence me in such an important way…a very special blessing to have known him like I did. Thank you, Grace.
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Gay Reiser Cannon
/ August 23, 2012The entire piece was a kind of namaste. I sense the peace you learned to have from him and the joy of the present. What an “enlightening” poem!
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2012We definitely acknowledged the “God” in each other…he was a beautiful teacher. Thank you, Gay.
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ayala
/ August 23, 2012I love this!
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2012So very, very happy that you do, Ayala…
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Daydreamertoo
/ August 23, 2012I have read a little of the life and sayings of Paramahansa Yoganada. Tended to lean towards these faiths more and more the older I grow. There seems to be so much more truth in them than the usual organised religion has to offer. I’m open to any and all enlightenment which teaches to ignore the ego and is all about love. This is a lovely tribute to a man you so obviously had much love and respect for.
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2012Once I became aware of these teachings while still a teenager, there was no turning back for me. I’m very eclectic in my ‘beliefs’…open to all that resonates as good within me. Thanks for sharing your experience with me, Bren…I feel like you do. Yes, he was a very special being…I learned a lot from him.
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Victoria C. Slotto
/ August 23, 2012Your poem makes me want to know more about this man which, I believe, is a function of characterization. His face and your words reflect the result of his spiritual practice.
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2012I’m glad it made you curious about him. I feel very blessed to have been in his company in such a personal way…I think you “got” what I was trying to convey.
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Susan
/ August 23, 2012“I was honored to
serve this man
of God, preparing his
dal and basmati rice.”
A powerful relationship, that lets you put down ego without fearing abuse. How freeing. I too would bow and bow. I would learn how to bow.
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2012To a man such as this…bowing came very naturally…but like you said, in a freeing, joyful way…not demeaned or lorded over…and not demanded. Yes, you just might learn to bow.
Thank you, Susan.
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brian
/ August 23, 2012ha…was writing and my computer died….funny i call my wife baba…smiles….i love all the detail you put into this really bringing him to life..and it being an honor to serve him…says much of his character…and of you as well…..great capture…
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2012Oh, that is funny…and cute, Brian. Yes, such an honor…and he was so humble…what a treasure of a human being. Thank you…
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Claudia
/ August 24, 2012he sounds like an interesting and wise man for sure.. good to have that kind of fellowship and touch each others lives
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2012Yes, very good…thanks, Claudia.
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souldipper
/ August 24, 2012Gayle, now I have a better understanding of the well from which you so obviously dip. Thank you.
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2012I’ve certainly been blessed with some pretty amazing encounters in my life. And, thank you too.
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Mohana
/ August 24, 2012serenity, they exude a sense of calmness, of peace. absolutely, soul-touching.
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2012Yes, he did exude that perfect peace and calmness…how fortunate to witness that. Thanks, Mohana.
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sonny
/ August 24, 2012am not much of a fan of baba’s but your write here conveys your sentiments beautifully…very nicely expressed !
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2012Sorry to hear that…I only had positive experiences with him… But thanks for coming by and sharing a comment…I appreciate that.
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dfb
/ August 24, 2012Fascinating. Beautifully described. I’ve read and ‘got involved’ in Buddhism and also other faiths (including Christianity). Sometimes I think of religions in their higher states as if they are paths leading to a mountain summit – when you get to the top there’s only room for one to stand on it, and you can see all the other paths which have led you there, although, as an individual you may have followed only one.
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2012I’ve gotten involved in Buddhism as my latest interest too…started out with Christianity through my parents influence. I like your view of religions from a higher state of different pathways leading to the same “summit.” I feel the same way about different paths… Thank you for sharing this, dfb.
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David King
/ August 24, 2012You describe him well, but, importantly, leave us alone with the mystery of him.
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2012I’m sure he had many mysteries that I did not know of too…thank you, David.
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hypercryptical
/ August 24, 2012He touched my
heart, he touched
my soul…I want
to bow a thousand times.
A wonderful description of a man who reached into you and found your inner peace.
Anna :o]
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2012Yes, he did…I have much gratitude. Thank you, Anna.
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John (@bookdreamer)
/ August 24, 2012An illustration of an ideal lived
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2012Yes…I am in awe…but know each of us can be that.
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tigerbrite
/ August 24, 2012What a joy to have known this man.
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2012He was very dear. I loved his company.
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Arindam
/ August 24, 2012Thanks a lot for commenting on my post, so that I could reach here. Autobiography of a yogi is one of my most favorite books. And although I have not met baba as I am not in to spiritual stuffs that much, but some of my family members are very close to him. And let me tell you, I was born and brought up in the same place where Baba lived. I hope that place is called as Balighai Aashram. Do correct me if I am wrong!
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Arindam
/ August 24, 2012Sorry for the typing mistake, I meant to say I was born and brought up in same state, where Baba lived. Do read same state instead of same place in the above comment.
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2012That book is one of my favorite books too. So interesting to learn that some of your family members were close to him. I believe it was called Karar Ashram that was Yogananda’s ashram. But there is a Balighai Ashram too that he was associated with….don’t know very much about all the centers or ashrams affiliated with them. He passed away in December of 2002 in the state that I live in…Florida in the U.S.
Thanks for sharing, Arindam!
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marousia
/ August 24, 2012Beautiful – this is a wonderful portrait
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2012Oh, thank you, Marousia.
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SilverGardenia
/ August 24, 2012Lovely poem. Thanks for sharing your teacher with us.
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2012I appreciate the compliment…thank you.
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booguloo
/ August 24, 2012A very interesting man. I’m happy that you had the time to spend with him.
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Bodhirose
/ August 25, 2012Me too. Thank you, Michael.
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Daydreamertoo
/ August 25, 2012Not too sure what’s happening but your link at dVerse isn’t working Gayle.
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Bodhirose
/ August 25, 2012Could you try it again, Bren…I think it should be working now…please, let me know….thanks.
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Lorna's Voice
/ August 27, 2012What an honor, Gayle, to study under this gentle, wise man. Even without the picture, your poem described his essense perfectly. I could picture him perfectly.
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Bodhirose
/ August 27, 2012Yes, an amazing honor. I’m glad my description came through clearly. It was a profound time in my life…he was so caring and kind.
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bardessdmdenton
/ September 4, 2012‘He touched my
heart, he touched
my soul…I want
to bow a thousand times,’
What a blessing in your life, Gayle. Serenely shared.
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Bodhirose
/ September 10, 2012A huge blessing and honor…a very special being. Thank you, Diane.
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