His Holiness Swami Ramakrishnananda, who is called ”Gurudev“ by his disciples, out of respect and love, is a spiritual master, a yogi, a mystic and a completely enlightened being who has totally dedicated his life to the service of his spiritual master, God and humanity. Both within and beyond the framework of Hinduism, Swami Ramakrishnananda has become one of the most respected spiritual authorities of our time.
Swami Ramakrishnananda was born in Santiago, capital of the Republic of Chile, on March 21st, 1958. A mystical experience which occurred at the age of eight would determine the course of his life, impelling him to search for the Truth. This experience influenced his early life to such an extent that from his adolescence he dedicated himself to studying and practicing different spiritual paths, such as Christianity, Judaism (Talmud, Hassidism and Kabbalah), Buddhism (thera-vada, mahayana and tantric), Taoism, Santeria, Tantra (dak?i?acara and vamacara), Shaktism, western philosophy, and yoga, (karma, bhakti, raja, ku??alini and jñana), among others.
His spiritual inquiry led him to leave his homeland and travel widely throughout India, the Middle East, South American, Europe, and the United States, in search of religious or spiritual authorities who could offer him some information about the transcendental experience that he had experienced in childhood. Due to his inquiry, he visited pastors, rabbis, priests, roshis, gurus, devotees, mystics, shamans, guides and masters of different traditions, lines, paths and religions. It was only after an extended period devoted to the study of Hinduism in all its different aspects, that he adopted that religion as his own. He accepted initiation directly from His Holiness Swami Viditatmananda, founder of the Adhyatma Vidya Mandir in Gujarat, India.
During his years of studies, he has been certified as a guide, instructor and professor of yoga and has also obtained titles from renowned institutions such as Shivananda Yoga Vedanta, Jiva Institute of Vedic Studies from Vrindavan, Prana Yoga Ashram, Swami Shivananda Yogasana Research Centre from Tamil Nadu, Ma Yoga Shakti Mission, Yoga Research Foundation, Integral Yoga, Patanjala Yoga Kendra, Rishikesh Yoga Peeth, Vrindavan Institute of Vaishnava Culture and Studies, Aham Brahmasmi Yog Mandir Trust from Rishikesh, among others.
His love for Advaita Vedanta led him to accept sannyasa, or ”the sacred order of renounced life“, directly from His Holiness Swami Jyotirmayananda Sarasvati, disciple of His Holiness Swami Sivananda Sarasvati of Rishikesh, India.
Gurudev’s devotion or bhakti, and his constant transcendental experience of the Self or Vedanta, have made him a faithful exponent of the honorable title, Bhakti-vedanta, which he received from the Gau?iya-vai??ava Mission Vrinda. He has also been awarded titles such as Yoga-siroma?i, K???a-bhakta and Yogacarya, directly from the hands of His Holiness Swami Vi??u Devananda; Yoga-ratna, received from His Holiness Swami Jyotirmayananda Sarasvati; Bhakti-sastri, from His Holiness Sri B.A. Paramadvaiti Swami Maharaja; and many other titles, such as Pracarya, Yoga-pravi?a, Yoga-siroma?i, Veda-vidyala?kara, and Yogacarya.
In 2003, at the request of his spiritual master, Gurudev founded the Vishwa Dharma Mandalam mission in New York City, with the objective of spreading his vision of Sanatana-dharma to a wider audience in the West. The organization continues to expand, and novice spiritual seekers wishing to benefit from Gurudev’s guidance and inspiration by living in the asram are always welcome.
Swami Ramakrishnananda has taught ha?ha-yoga for more than 25 years and has prepared and certified scores of trainers, instructors and teachers. With the knowledge received from Gurudev, many of these students teach yoga in their own centers in various countries.
Gurudev’s works, lectures, workshops, courses and activities, and above all his wisdom and devotion have made him worthy of the affection, appreciation, respect and support of his disciples and followers, as well as that of reputable swamis, yogis, ??is, pundits and prominent authorities of the respected Hindu community.
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