Articles & Excerpts             

Interview Excerpt
from Ascent Magazine 29 Spring 2006
by Clea McDougall

Clea McDougall:   What would you say is your most important teaching?

Swamini Turiyasangitananda:   I think the central teaching is meditation. Not teaching on the subject of meditation, but more so, explaining that the path to God must involve meditation to bring you to the closest point. In other words, your study is going to be fine, your acquisition of knowledge is going to be great — but you need direct communication. And the best time is after prayer, after recitation of the names — japa. Meditate. Sit in silence and try to hear the voice of the Lord. See the visions that God will send, ask the questions. This brings you into close proximity to God.
        And to me, I don't think you can complete any path successfully without meditation. Because if you're a student, a reader, a jnani, one who is involved with acquired knowledge, you are always going to debate that knowledge. And what does mortal man really know about spirituality? I feel it is limiting if you do not meditate. Prayer is wonderful, it's healing, it's beautiful, but we need that meditation. And that's really the central focus of the teaching.

CM:    You are the spiritual leader of your Ashram in Southern California. How did you become a teacher?

ST: It started with taking the sannyas. That was a total mystical experience. It was God's deliverance of His anointed mercy on me. I was told the night and time, and to be prepared, so I got ready and put on a white dress and all, and I noticed when the time came, the colors of orange were poured into the cloth of the dress I was wearing. And I just watched it happen. I just watched everything go into the beautiful saffron color. And my name was given, of course, and the whole outline of the duty, the work and mission were also revealed.
        One of the directives given to me was to start the Ashram. I felt I could serve in any way that God wished. If He wants you to do charity work or humanitarian work or however He wishes to utilize you, maybe just talking or giving musical concerts is fine. Many people have a musical ministry. Whatever was ordered, I would have been happy to receive.