as a Siddha Yoga guru, the direct descendant in
his lineage. In the months that followed, in a final
act of tutelage, he sent Swami Chidvilasananda
to teach, on her own, in India and America. Her
personal skill as a teacher and her capacity to
fulfill the spiritual demands of the guru’s lineage
were thus consolidated and guaranteed. In Octo-
ber 1982, Swami Muktananda died (in traditional
Hindu terms, the guru “took mahasamadhi”).
Since then, as head of this lineage of medi-
tation masters, Gurumayi Chidvilasananda has
taught Siddha Yoga meditation to students on
six continents. Gurumayi’s books, filled with her
teachings and poetry, have been translated into
12 languages. She has taken a special interest in
making the Siddha Yoga path available to children
and young people. Gurumayi’s teachings are dis-
seminated by the SYDA Foundation.
The philanthropic aspect of Gurumayi’s work
is expressed through the PRASAD Project. Estab-
lished by Gurumayi in 1992, this charitable organi-
zation offers aid in seven countries, administering
medical, dental, and nutrition assistance as well
as community development projects. In 1997,
Gurumayi founded the Muktabodha Indological
Institute, an educational foundation that preserves
endangered elements of India’s scriptural heritage
and the oral tradition of the VEDAS.
As a teacher, Gurumayi directs her students to
assume responsibility for making the effort needed
to succeed in their spiritual path. She emphasizes
the importance of spiritual practice and the neces-
sity of integrating the fruits of practice into the
fabric of one’s worldly life. She imparts the Siddha
Yoga teachings in a way that makes them acces-
sible and directly applicable to the challenges and
opportunities of modern life. Gurumayi teaches
Siddha Yoga students to live in the awareness of
the Self so that they can transform their world as
well as themselves. And she continues to awaken
spiritual energy in her students, through the
vehicle of the Siddha Yoga Shaktipat Intensive, a
course of study that teaches students a practice
and discipline and that introduces them to the
transmission of energy from Gurumayi to each
of them, the profound spiritual awakening of
kundalini SHAKTI (spiritual energy).Further reading: Douglas Renfrew Brooks et al., Medi-
tation Revolution: A History and Theology of the Siddha
Yoga Lineage (South Fallsburg, N.Y.: Agama Press,
1997); Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, Courage and Con-
tentment (South Fallsburg, N.Y.: SYDA Foundation,
1999); ———, Kindle My Heart: Wisdom and Inspiration
from a Living Master GuruMayi Chidvilasananda, 2 vols.
(New York: Prentice Hall, 1989–1991); Swami Shanta-
nanda, The Splendor of Recognition: An Exploration of
the Pratyabhijna-Hrdayam, a Text on the Ancient Science
of the Soul (South Fallsburg, N.Y.: SYDA Foundation,
n.d.).Ching Hai Wu Shang See SANT MAT.
Chinmaya Mission
Chinmayananda, Swami (1916–1993)
founder of Chinmaya Mission
Swami Chinmayananda was an influential teacher
of Hindu scriptures. He gave public lectures, set
up ashrams, and preached to adults and children
around the world. His Chinmaya Mission has
worked to further Vedic education among adults
and children and runs a large network of chari-
table institutions.
Balakrishna Menon was born on May 8,
1916, the son of Parakutti and Kuttan Menon in
Ernakulam, Kerala, in South India. His aristocratic
family followed strict Kerala Hindu traditions.
Saints and sages often visited the family home
and paid attention to the young boy. A bright
student, he read widely and was good at sports.
An extrovert, he got along well with others and
exhibited a charming personality. He studied sci-
ence in Cochin and later graduated in science atChinmayananda, Swami 109 JSee CHINMAYANANDA,
SWAMI.