Pilgrim Testimonials
For me, taking the Pilgrim vowed served in the strengthening of my resolve to find not a moment in which I am separate from God and to serve in each moment.
—Sabrina Tushing
I feel richly blessed and am grateful to be a small part of this Nayaswami Order. It is just perfect for this time in my life where my karmic duty remains, of course, with my husband and children, while my spirit yearns for an ever-deepening relationship with God.
These vows will help me to keep my inner compass pointed towards TRUTH. I plan to frame them and hang them next to my bedside.
—Martha Nossiff
The End of Me
How many times, for how many eons—
Did I walk past the gate of self-offering
Fearing to give up what I claimed as my own.
But as wisdom’s light grew brighter
I so ever timidly opened that gate
To discover an unexpected freedom in relinquishment.
And now, I step wholly through that gate,
Realizing at last that every desire, ambition, attachment
Offered to Infinity
Yet remains—transformed, expanded, beatified—
Awaiting fulfillment beyond imagination,
Here now is the end of me— ‘tis true—of I and mine,
Still yet the beginning of Myself.
—Satyaki Brockschmidt
In taking the Pilgrim vow, I feel that I’ve connected with the spiritual aspirations of many lifetimes.
—Barbara Bingham
I think I was, and I am, a pilgrim from the day I received Kriya Initiation almost two years ago. Nevertheless, the day I took my vow with the blessings of Swami Kriyananda, there was a turning point.
Today I feel I am more determined and my eyes are glued to the spiritual path.
—R.K. Joshi
The vow ceremony was an unforgettable experience. I feel I still have a long way to go to reach the “summit of the holy mountain” having had a very materialistic life these past 66 years. With Guruji’s blessings, I am determined to reach the goal someday.
—D. Adhikary
I carefully read Swamiji’s new book on the Renunciate Order. While I could see that this was an important book for the world, I did not feel that any of the then vows reflected my current life as an active life as a busy scientific researcher.
I listened to the talks on the Renunciate Order, and I decided to meditate deeply on each of the “14 virtues of a true renunciate”. I realized that I could focus on each of these virtues and that would be a way of offering my life to God more deeply.
When I read the Pilgrim vow, I realized that this was perfect for my life situation. A deep part of me felt an immediate attunement because no matter what you are doing, you need not be separate from Divine Mother.
On the day of my initiation the transmission of blessing was powerfully electric, a deep completion of something that I had been looking for all my life.
—Karen Sherman
As long as can remember I have felt like a renunciate, knowing that the only path for me in this world was a path dedicated to finding and serving God.
Taking the Pilgrim vows solidified this inner knowing into an outward choice, a conscious commitment to an intuitive feeling that guides all of my actions.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have shared in the vows and ceremony. Thank you, Swamiji, for manifesting the Nayaswami Order. It is a deep spiritual gift to all of us.
—Rose Neal
I felt during the ceremony that a great light was coming into the world, something much greater than the initiation in which I was taking part.
I truly felt, and feel, that this Order will sweep the world and help society at large to make the transition to Dwapara Yuga. We are living in momentous times, and I encourage everyone who deeply follows a spiritual path to consider joining this order.
—Richard Salva
When I learned of the new Renunciate Order, I thought, “Well, that’s what I’m working on already. What difference will it make if I take formal vows?”
But I felt encouraged in meditation to take initiation, and I’ve been deeply touched by how much help I’ve received as a direct result of joining the Nayaswami order. I know it is because this is an important part of Yogananda’s work, to establish a new tradition of renunciation, not based on “sack cloth and ashes,” but “choosing happiness.”
—Rambhakta Beinhorn
I have been on the spiritual path for over 12 years. During that time, my outward roles have taken many forms, most recently as a mother to one son, now age 3.
As a devotee, I have always tried to live my life in attunement with Divine Will. When I felt that God wanted me to act in the role of mother, I approached it as a spiritual journey. This is the image of the “pilgrim.” Every activity is a spiritual footstep. And those footsteps are taking me one by one closer to God.
—Iswari Brockschmidt
I experienced a change in my outlook even before taking the vow, just by contemplating “the marks of a true renunciate.”
I felt like I was reading my own inner dialogue, what I have wanted my life to be primarily about for years. The ceremony itself felt like a consummation.
Since taking the vow, I honestly feel that my heart no longer belongs to me alone, but to everyone. Basically, I’m trying to give up judging people entirely. It makes radiating God’s love and light the most natural place to put my attention. I also feel a nice boost to my enthusiasm for spiritual practices
—Bill Grady
One of my struggles since starting this path has been with feeling unworthy, and at times wondering if Yogananda has really accepted me as His disciple, or if I just made this up! I have thought of Self-realization as something that I really want, but probably will not see for many-many-many more lifetimes.
Immediately after taking the Pilgrim Vow, I sensed that something profound had happened, but could not describe to myself or anyone else just what had changed in me.
Then the thought came, “Wow, I CAN do it, I can go all the way in THIS lifetime.” I did not only THINK this, but I FELT it. Since then I have felt closer to God, closer to Master and, therefore, closer to the Goal.
—Masha Reichman
I have enjoyed a definite blessing from the time of taking the vow. Among the attachments that I offered up was an obstacle to my spiritual growth that I have been struggling to overcome for many years. On the occasion of the vows ceremony it was taken from me. I am deeply grateful.
—Ganesha Kieran
As a sincere disciple of my spiritual path, I have always asked myself daily what I could do to perfect my life as a seeker of God.
Taking these Pilgrim vows has clarified and energized my next steps on the spiritual path. By focusing on my vows each day, their meaning has deepened for me, and slowly but steadily, their power has increased in my life.
More and more I feel God is the Doer in this life.
—Ramu Atwell
Taking a vow with 100 other people — all whom were giving their life to God — was a powerfully uplifting experience.
—Timothy Hickey
I have only just begun the vow of the Pilgrim, and I know that as time goes on, I will understand this vow more deeply. But the effect it has already had in my life is extremely moving.
After every meditation, I read this vow. I feel as though the words, though very simple, are becoming actions. Their power is taking charge already. At work, words flow into my mind to remind me, “Direct all your thoughts and actions toward that end.”
I feel such a personal connection with God through this simple vow, because I know now that He and I are in this together.
—Melody West
When the Pilgrim vows were presented, I knew that at this point in time this was Yogananda’s will for me.
I was struck with such a sense of sweetness and non-judgment towards decisions and choices that I had made with my life thus far. When I took the vow, I was overwhelmed with a sense of God’s love for me and also a deep sense of movement in my spine.
I’ve since come to realize that the movement in my spine was moving karma in such a way that my life has been transformed inwardly.
Through the process of taking vows, I have come into a deeper sense of self-acceptance, which has been very freeing. I am deeply grateful.
—Devaki Soupios