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Swami Jyotirmayananda was born on
February 3, 1931, in a pious family in Dumari Buzurg, District Saran,
Bihar, India, a northern province sanctified by the great Lord Buddha.
From his early childhood he showed various marks of future saintliness.
He was calm and reflective, compassionate to all, and a constant source
of inspiration to all who came in contact with him. Side by side with
his studies and practical duties, he reflected upon life's deeper
purpose. An overwhelming feeling to serve humanity through a spiritual
life led him to embrace the ancient order of Sanyasa on February 3,
1953, at the age of 22. Living in the Himalayan retreats by the sacred
Ganges River, he practiced intense austerities. In tireless service of
his Guru, Sri Swami Sivananda Maharaj, Swamiji taught at the Yoga
Vedanta Forest Academy as a professor of religion. In addition to giving
lectures on the Upanishads, Raja Yoga and all the important scriptures
of India, he was the editor of the Yoga Vedanta Journal.
Ever able to assist foreign students in
their understanding of Yoga and Vedanta, his intuitive perception of
their problems endeared him to all. Swamiji's exemplary life, love
towards all beings, great command of spiritual knowledge, and dynamic
expositions on Yoga and Vedanta philosophy attracted enormous interest
all over India. He frequently lectured by invitation at the All India
Vedanta Conferences in Delhi, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and in other parts of
India.
In 1962, after many requests, Swami
Jyotirmayananda came to the West to spread the knowledge of India. As
founder of Sanatan Dharma Mandir in Puerto Rico (1962-1969), Swamiji
rendered unique service to humanity through his regular classes, weekly
radio lectures in English and in Spanish, and numerous TV appearances.
In March 1969, Swamiji moved to Miami, Florida, and established the
ashram that has become the center for the international activities of
the Yoga Research Foundation. Branches of this organization now exist
throughout the world and spread the teachings of yoga to aspirants
everywhere. In 1985, Swamiji founded an ashram near New Delhi, India,
which is now serving the community by offering yoga classes, by
publishing the Hindi Journal, Yoganjali, by assisting the needy through
a medical clinic and by furthering the education of children through the
Bal Divya Jyoti Public School.
Today Swami Jyotirmayananda occupies a
place of the highest order among the international men of wisdom. He is
well recognized as the foremost proponent of Integral Yoga, a way of
life and thought that synthesizes the various aspects of the ancient
yoga tradition into a comprehensive plan of personality integration.
Through insightful lectures that bring
inspiration to thousands who attend the conferences, camps and
philosophical gatherings, Swamiji shares the range and richness of his
knowledge of the great scriptures of the world.
Spiritual seekers throughout the world enjoy his monthly
magazine-International Yoga Guide. His numerous books and cassette tapes
are enriching the lives of countless aspirants who have longed for
spiritual guidance that makes the most profound secrets of yoga
available to them in a manner that is joyous and practical. Despite the
international scope of his activities, Swamiji still maintains an
intimate setting at his main ashram in Miami that allows fortunate
aspirants to have the privilege of actually studying and working under
his direct guidance. In the lecture hall of the Foundation, Swami
Jyotirmayananda personally conducts an intense weekly schedule of
classes in Bhagavad-Gita, Yoga Vasistha, Mahabharata, Upanishads,
Panchadashi, the Bible, Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga and meditation.
With a work-study scholarship, qualified students are able to attend all
classes conducted by Swamiji tuition-free. In return, students devote
their energy and talents to the Foundation's noble mission by serving in
the bookshop, offices, press, and computer and publication facilities.
Both the Yoga Research Foundation and the
main ashram lie in the southwest section of Miami, two minutes from the
University of Miami and 15 minutes from the Miami International Airport.
The main ashram is situated on two and a half acres surrounded by trees
and exotic plants, reminiscent of the forest hermitages of the ancient
sages. Adjoining are subsidiary ashrams that house student residents and
Foundation guests. The grounds are picturesque, abounding with tall
eucalyptus and oak trees, a fragrant mango orchard giving shelter to
numerous birds and squirrels, and a lake of lotus blooms reflecting the
expansion of blue sky. In this serene yet dynamic environment, the holy
presence of Swami Jyotirmayananda fills the atmosphere with the silent,
powerful message of Truth, and the soul is nurtured and nourished,
allowing for a total education and evolution of one's inner Self.
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