By Andrea (Arya) Perry, interviewed by Lori (Priya) Kenney

“This CD has inspired and motivated me to do more japa, more meditation, and even more chanting.  I am grateful for it.  Thank you Gurudevi!” says Andrea (Arya) Perry.

When I invited Arya to review Gurudevi Swami Nirmalananda’s CD Meditation Deep & Easy, she proclaimed, “I believe my life purpose, my dharma, is to live established in Self.  I use this CD as a tool to support me on this quest.”

Meditation Deep & Easy includes three tracks.  The first two are Gurudevi singing the mantra, then speaking the mantra out loud (japa).  On the third track, Gurudevi guides you in using the mantra for your entry into meditation.  The CD makes it easy for you to find your way inward to Self, the focus and purpose of Svaroopa^® Vidya Meditation.  Many yogis in the Svaroopa^® Vidya community use this CD as meditation preparation.  Gurudevi’s guidance into meditation illuminates their pathway into Self. 

Arya describes, “I wanted the experience of doing japa with Gurudevi.  In contrast to repeating the mantra alone, hearing Gurudevi’s voice doing japa or chanting the mantra gives me a ‘connection booster’ to Self.  It immerses me in the flow of Grace.  It makes connection to and establishment in Self easier, faster and stronger.”

“I am just ending 18 months that were both trying and challenging.  Until her death in May, I shared caregiving responsibilities for my beloved mother-in-law of 49 years with my husband and his two siblings.  During this time, my husband underwent two hip replacement surgeries.  Stress and tensions were high, sending my mind and emotions way out of control.  During these periods, I was grateful for all the yogic tools that I had available to bring me back to Self.  I also appreciate these experiences.  I am grateful for them because I could see them as opportunities for growth and development.”

“In the final months of this period,” describes Arya, “the CD was one of these tools.  It motivated and supported my doing japa during the 40-mile drives to my mother-in-law’s house.  I’ve always been self-conscious about singing.  My small-s self says, ‘Am I doing it right?’  For this reason, chanting has never been my forte.  Despite this, one evening on my 40-mile drive, I found myself chanting along with the CD with all my heart and soul.  I found bliss and joy.”

“I have a saying that Consciousness provides me with what I need, when I need it, as I need it, even when I don’t even know I need it.  This request to do this interview drew my awareness back to the CD.  I hadn’t thought of using it since May, when my caregiving responsibilities ended.  In the middle of the night, just prior to the interview, my mind was raging out of control.  I could not reign it in to go to sleep despite Ayurvedic practices, Ujjayi Pranayama and japa.  My mind and body obstinately resisted asana and meditation.  Because the CD had been freshly planted in my mind by the interview request, the thought to use it as a solution came to mind.  Consequently, listening to Gurudevi chanting and doing japa effectively deactivated my mind.  Grounded in Self, I drifted off to sleep.”

Arya continues, “Living at a distance limits how often I can physically visit the Ashram and be in Gurudevi’s presence.  The CD provides me with the Ashram experience.  I can be in Gurudevi’s presence long distance.  And it’s portable.  I can have it anytime, day or night and anywhere, in my living room, my car, my bedroom or elsewhere.”

Swami Nirmalananda’s Meditation, Deep & Easy CD is available for purchase from the Ashram Shop.