Papaji Amazing Grace

348 Pages·2007·33.44 MB·English

by  Premananda

Sri H.W.L. Poonja, lovingly referred to
as Papaji, was born in the Western Punjab,
on 13th October, 1910. His family life and
childhood were intensely devotional. Even
as a young man his only interest was to
find someone who could show him God.
In 1944 his longing was fulfilled when he met
his Master, Sri Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi.
He realised the Self in his presence, in the
shadow of the holy mountain Arunachala.
He met his family responsibilities as a
mining supervisor in the jungles of Kerala.
After retirement he travelled and finally
settled in Lucknow, North India, only
after health problems prevented him from
travelling. It was in this hot and dusty town
that hundreds of Western devotees had
the luck to sit in the presence of this truly
free being.
Papaji left his body in Lucknow on 6th
September, 1997. His ashes were immersed
in the Ganges at Haridwar.
www.poonja.com
What Papaji 's People Are Saying About
Papaji Amazing Grace
'Papaji appeared in my life as a kiss from existence, pointing me
at myself, That which Is. Eternal gratefulness. The interviews
Premananda has written carry Papaji's fragrance. Enjoy.'
Isaac Shapiro, spiritual teacher.
Author of Outbreak of Peace and It Happens by Itself
'In these interviews we have the good luck to experience some of
the many varieties of flowers that flourished at Papaji's feet in his
garden of Satsang.
May this book reveal the bloom in the reader's heart.'
Gangaji, spiritual teacher.
Author of The Diamond In Your Pocket and just Like You
'Just like a small mouse suddenly come face to face with a playfully
ruthless lion, on the day that I met Papaji, I knew that the game
was over. He allowed no escape, no postponement, no wobble.
Everything since that fateful meeting in 1991 has been a clumsy
attempt by the bodymind to catch up with the vastness of the view
he opened in one infinitely small gap in time. This book does a
fine job of capturing the inexpressible: the mystery that was and
still is H.WL. Poonjaji. Read the words, and also feel the dynamic
presence between the words, and through this book the lion may be
kind enough to eat you for breakfast too.'
Arjuna Ardagh, spiritual teacher.
Author of The Translucent Revolution and Awakening into Oneness

Papaji
Amazing Grace
Forthcoming books by Premananda
Blueprintsf orA wakening
Songs of Silence
ArunachalaS hiva
Papaji
Amazing Grace
Interviews with Seekers of Enlightenment
... and how they found It.
Premananda
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OPEN SKY PRESS
www.openskypress.com
PapajiA mazing Grace
Published by Open Sky Press Ltd.
483 Green Lanes, London N I 3 4BS
[email protected]
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or
reproduced in any part whatsoever without written permission.
For further information please contact Open Sky Press.
First edition
© Open Sky Press Ltd. 2007
ISBN 978-0-9555730-0-2
Cover photograph by Ganga
Photographs by Chandi Devi ©2007 pages vi, 149, 195, 291, 292, 325, back cover
Photographs by Bhakti ©2007 pages 59, 85, I 07, 127, 165, 196, 251
Photographs by Bharatmitra pages 19, 37, 229
Photographs from Papaji archives pages 20, 38, 60, 86, I0 8, I 50, 166, 181, 182, 252, 277, 278
Photographs by Premananda pages 6, 128, 230
Papaji quotes in the book are from
TheT ruthI s by Sri H.WL. Poonja
Printed in Hong Kong
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OPEN SKY PRESS
www.openskypress.com
Acknowledgements
This book has arranged itself with little input from the author's mind.
The interviewees chose themselves and the transcribing happened with
no effort. Later, editors and proof-readers appeared and disappeared.
The photographs, which add so much colour to the book, arrived in a
spontaneous blur just as the book was readied for printing.
My thanks to all the interviewees, including those who don't appear in
the final version of the book, for sharing with touching intimacy, their
love for Papaji and for so honestly revealing their lives.
An interview is a spontaneous and unique conversation. My thanks
and appreciation to Kali Devi and Julie Fuad for their sensitive editing,
which retains the particular flavour of each interview. Thanks to Nirvana,
Darshana and Kali Devi for patiently proof-reading the manuscript over
and over again! Thank you to Jonathan for arriving just in time for the
final proofs and offering invaluable help.
Thank you to photographers Chandi Devi and Bhakti for the majority of
the photographs. Also to the Satsang Bhavan in Lucknow for permission
to use the beautiful archive photos of Papaji. To Ganga for the cover
photo. I should like to thank Sri Ramana Ashram for permission to use
the dedication picture of Sri Ramana Maharshi. Thank you to Prashanti
for permission to use quotes from The Truth Is. Thank you to Aruna,
Darshana, Kindra and Shivananda, the book's graphic designers, for the
beautiful cover and the clarity of the final print.
Much love and thanks to Kali Devi, for her constant support,
encouragement and invaluable advice.
Premananda2 006
From my heart I offer the deepest
thank you to my beloved Papaji.
This book is a testament to your unconditional love.
Thank you for orchestrating all the steps
so beautifully over the last fourteen years.
People appeared and disappeared just at the right moment.
Wonderfully choreographed!
Wow, it has been a tremendous journey.
Thank you Papaji -Amazing Grace.