A Father’s Transformation: Embracing Faith and Miracles

In July 2013, I took my father to the Montreal Ashram in Canada for Guru Purnima, even though he had never met Sri Sri before. My father, who was initially skeptical, surprised me by agreeing to meet Sri Sri. As time went on, my father’s curiosity and excitement grew as he delved deeper into Gurudev’s teachings through reading and listening to his talks. At some point, he started referring to Sri Sri as ‘Gurudev,’ and it filled my heart with joy. It was especially significant for my father, who had recently undergone a quadruple bypass surgery in February 2013. This spiritual journey came at just the right time for him.

In July, the anticipated month arrived, and although my father was excited to meet Gurudev, he had concerns about leaving my 86-year-old grandmother with my younger sister. Assuring him, I said, “Just keep the faith, I’m sure Gurudev will take care of her.” However, as the day of our visit approached, I began to worry if my father would have a meaningful encounter with Gurudev. Regardless, I prayed that, even if I didn’t have a profound experience, my father would have a close darshan with Gurudev, even if it was just for a moment.

Within an hour of arriving at the Ashram, Gurudev blessed my father and engaged in a conversation with him. As we walked alongside Gurudev, with people surrounding us on all sides, I informed him that it was my father’s first visit. He inquired about my father’s name and asked if I was taking care of him, seemingly aware of his heart condition. As we reached the Satsang hall and exited after the session, like other devotees eagerly waiting, Gurudev once again recognized my father and sincerely asked, “How did you like Satsang?” Delighted, my father expressed his admiration, and we reverently touched Gurudev’s feet. But our darshan didn’t end there – there were several more instances when Gurudev stopped, looked at us, and engaged in conversations with us. We were totally drenched in blessings, love and bliss.

After spending a few days with me in Toronto, my father was set to return to Vancouver, his hometown. However, on the last day, he received a distressing call from my sister informing him that our grandmother had been admitted to the hospital due to a severe fall. He couldn’t help but question how such a thing could happen after meeting the Guru. The doctors indicated that surgery might be necessary depending on the X-ray results, and the thought of an 86-year-old woman undergoing surgery was deeply concerning. Seeking blessings from everyone I knew, I encouraged my father to maintain faith, believing this was a test. Thankfully, that night we received the news that the fracture was minor, eliminating the need for surgery—a tremendous relief! Nevertheless, due to the impact of the fall and seizure, she remained delirious and weak.

In the difficult days that followed, my father struggled with the sight of my grandmother’s hands being tied. I suggested placing a picture of Gurudev by her hospital bed, despite his initial doubts. To our astonishment, the very next day, an Art of Living devotee appeared out of nowhere, greeted my father with “Jai GuruDev,” and blessed my grandmother in person. It was a miracle that reaffirmed our faith. Soon after the encounter, my grandmother’s health improved, her suffering decreased, and her hands were untied. It was a powerful reminder of how the Master takes care of us and sends blessings when our faith falters.

Jai Gurudev,

NV