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He is the person who will be here for you and represent Arhum (Jain) Yoga in the United States." ...and he has done so ever since. Muniji has maintained a connection with all the Americans who met with Acharya Sushil throughout his years in New England. The loss of Guruji in 1994 was assuaged by having Amrender Muni present in our lives. He carries the message of Ahimsa to everyone who will listen. He has been visiting us every year since then. Muniji is unfailingly serene, kind and compassionate. We all see a monk who meditates, sends healing energy, gives intuitive as well as spiritual advice, and practices what he preaches. His path is straight and his message clear... Muniji does no harm in action, word or thought!
But...we have also seen the miracle of Muniji's path unfold.
In 2003, Muniji had a stroke that was brought on by a staph infection. He was once again staying at my house for a week of meetings and he was using a medication for a rash that a doctor had given him. He wasn't well but wanted to meet with the people who had driven so many miles to spend a day with him. It was a yoga workshop and the studio had about 45 people attending. The temperature on that August day was about 87 degrees. We had only fans to cool us but Muniji said, “No problem, I will teach"...and teach he did. Arhum Yoga uses bhastrika breathing with asanas and it is rigorous when done for long. 4+ 1\2 hours later I had to beg Muniji to stop because everyone was exhausted! After a rest period, during which Muniji met personally with various people, he then gave a lecture on non-violence and led a 1 hour meditation. Personal meetings took up the evening and not a soul would have known that the tranquil monk patiently listening to them had a fever and was very sick. The next day he told me he was having a "little dizziness” so he went to Boston to meet with a Jain doctor who was concerned about his health. He would shortly suffer the stroke which everyone feared would be a permanent disability.
For one year Muniji worked to return to his normal speech and
shantidoot | messenger of peace
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