The
Reverend
Sri Swami Satchidananda
(Sri Gurudev)
As one of the most
revered Yoga Masters of our time, Sri Swami Satchidananda, remains a much-loved
teacher, well known for his combination of practical wisdom and spiritual
insight. He gave his life to the service of humanity, demonstrating by his
own example the means of finding abiding peace within one's life and within
one's self. His message of peace inside all people and harmony among all faiths
and countries has been heard worldwide.
Family Life
Born to a spiritual family in South India in 1914, Sri Gurudev’s childhood
was filled with visiting swamis, poets, and artists. Sri Gurudev spent his
early years studying and working in such diverse fields as agriculture, cinematography,
and electronics. He was successful in all of them, yet he chose to give up
a personal life for a life dedicated to inner peace, spiritual knowledge and
communion with God. He studied with some of India's greatest saints and sages:
among them, Sri Ramana Maharshi, Sri Aurobindo, and his own spiritual master,
the world-renowned Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj of Rishikesh, Himalayas.
Early Service
When Swami Satchidananda was sent by Swami Sivananda to serve in Sri Lanka,
it was not long before the first Satchidananda Ashram was founded by students
who wanted to learn more from him. He spent thirteen years among them. In
1966, he was invited to visit the West, where his deep spiritual realization
made a profound and lasting impression. Once again, he was soon surrounded
by sincere students inspired to follow in his footsteps. Today Satchidananda
Ashram – Yogaville is a community dedicated to his teachings, and Integral
Yoga Institutes and centers, based on his teachings, can be found throughout
the world. See Resources for more information.
Ecumenism
Sri Gurudev had sponsored innumerable ecumenical symposiums, retreats and
worship services all over the world. During several private audiences, H.H.
Pope Paul VI praised these efforts to promote interfaith activities. In his
travels around the world, Sri Gurudev advocated harmony among people of all
faiths, philosophies, religions, races and nations. He met with spiritual
and governmental leaders and other dignitaries, among them: H.H. Pope Paul
II, the Dalai Lama, Indira Gandhi, Mother Teresa, U Thant, members of the
American Senate and U.S. Presidents.
Apostle of Peace
He traveled several times to the Soviet Union in an effort to encourage harmonious
dialogue between the American and Russian people and to promote world peace.
He received many honors for his service including the Martin Buber Award for
Outstanding Services to Humanity, the B'Nai Brith Anti-Defamation League's
Humanitarian Award; the titles of: Fellow of World Thanksgiving, Honorary
Fellow of the World Vegetarian Congress, Fellow of Concordia University and
a Peace Award from the United Nations.
Truth is One, Paths are Many
Sri Gurudev himself did not belong to any one faith, group or country. Dedicated
to the principle that "Truth is One, Paths are Many," he went wherever
he was asked to serve, bringing together people of all backgrounds and beliefs
to learn respect for all the different paths and to realize their common spirit
and the universality of their goal. He dreamed of a permanent place where
all can come together to individually realize that one Truth behind all the
names and forms. The LOTUS (Light of Truth Universal Shrine) is such a place.
Opened in July 1986, the Shrine - inspired and designed by Sri Gurudev - is
located in the United States at Satchidananda Ashram - Yogaville in Virginia.
It is dedicated to the light of all faiths and to world peace and stands as
a beautiful example of the universal teachings of Sri Swami Satchidananda.
He left his body on August 18, 2002.
Learn more at SwamiSatchidananda.org
Books
by Sri Swami Satchidananda
Available at the IYI bookstore or by contacting
Integral Yoga Distribution.
• Beyond Words
• Enlightened Tales
• The Golden Present (Daily Readings)
• The Healthy Vegetarian
• Integral Yoga Hatha
• Kailash Journal
• To Know Your Self
• The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
• The Living Gita
Books
about Sri Swami Satchidananda
• Satchidananda Sutras: Jewels from the Teachings of
0 Sri Swami Satchidananda
• Sri Swami Satchidananda: Apostle of Peace
• Sri Swami Satchidananda: Portrait of a Modern Sage
• The Master's Touch
• Guru and Disciple
Other
Integral Yoga Links
Integral
Yoga International: iyiva.org
Swami Satchidananda: swamisatchidananda.org
Satchidananda Ashram - Yogaville: yogaville.org
LOTUS (Light of Truth Universal Shrine): lotus.org
Integral Yoga Teachers Association: iyta.org
Integral Yoga Institute, New York: iyiny.org
Yoga Alliance: yogaalliance.org
Integral Yoga Distribution: yogahealthbooks.com
Integral Yoga Communications - Shakticom: shakticom.org
Integral Yoga Magazine: iymagazine.org