Sri Swami Satchidananda
His Holiness Sri Swami Satchidananda is a revered Yoga Guru of our time. He lived the teachings of Integral Yoga and its goal of Self-Realization.
Born on 22 December 1914 in Chettipalayam, a village in the South of India, he attained Sanyasa in 1949. He was ordained as a monk by Sri Swami Sivananda, founder of the Divine Life Society in Rishikesh. Amongst the great works of Swami Satchidananda, a notable few are, founding of Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville, a spiritual community in Virginia, USA; the design and building of the LOTUS, a beautiful interfaith shrine dedicated to the Universal Light.
Swamiji as he is dearly known to all, was not limited by any particular faith, group, or region. Dedicated to the principle that “Truth is One, Paths are Many,” he went wherever he was asked to serve. Swamiji was a pioneer in the field of ecumenism (inter-faith) and is a guiding light for millions of seekers around the world. He has authored many books and was the founder and director of the Integral Yoga Institutes worldwide.
He sponsored and spoke at ecumenical symposiums, retreats and worship services all over the world. He was honored with Albert Schweitzer Humanitarian Award and has been recognized for his peace-building efforts worldwide. Swamiji opened the Woodstock music festival, and he taught Yoga to an entire generation of Americans. Through his disciple, Dr. Dean Ornish, he awakened the worldwide medical community to the healing power of the yogic approach.
His teachings are summarized by his motto: “The dedicated ever enjoy supreme Peace. Therefore, live only to serve.” At the age of 87, Swamiji attained Mahasamadhi on 19 August 2002, in the South Indian city of Chennai.