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venerable teachers
Note: At the time of press, no information was available for Samani Charitrapragyaji and Samaniji'.
PUJYA SHRI ATMANANDJI (DR. MUKUND SONEJI)
Sessions: • FROM MEDICAL DOCTOR TO SPIRITUAL DOCTOR • QUESTIONING AUTHORITY... presented with Sadhvi Shilapiji
Has your life's work separated you in any way from the mainstream medical community? What kind of medical benefits or insights has spiritual study allowed you to have? What are the difficulties or dangers, if any, of being a layperson but receiving the same veneration as a sadhu?
Dr. Mukund Soneji was born in 1931 and brought up in Ahmedabad, India. During his childhood and adolescence, he was inspired by his family background and culture to participate in bhajans, prayers, bhakti, and satsang. From a very young age he was known to have a strong inclination towards satsang, svadhyaya, and the study of religious scriptures.
He developed a strong interest and love for philosophical and religious books in his high school and college years. During 1954-60 he was attracted to Jainism through its literature. In particular, the texts Tran Ratno of Acharya Kundakunda, Samadhi Shatak of Acharya Pujyapada, and Vachanamrit of Shrimad Rajachandra profoundly influenced him.
After completing an M.B.B.S. degree in 1956, he practiced medicine in Ahmedabad, Poona and Mumbai for about three years. In 1960, he married Shri Sharmishthaben, who would come to be known as an inspiring image of nobility, tolerance and forgiveness. Two years later he went to England for post graduate medical studies. Upon earning the M.R.C.P. degree he returned to India in 1966 and established a private hospital in Ahmedabad.
He was put on immense spiritual alert by a major illness in October 1968 which drove him to intensive introspection and meditation. This event inspired a change in his view of life. He gradually started curtailing his professional activities and devoted more time towards spiritual sadhana.
During this time his wife, who is a professional obstetrician and gynecologist, managed the hospital as well as householder responsibilities. Her outstanding cooperation and understanding had proven to be an extraordinary supporting factor in Dr. Soneji's pursuit of the spiritual path.
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