Espíritu ENGLISH VERSION - PUJYA SWAMI RAMESHWARANANDA GIRI MAHARAJ

PUJYA SWAMI RAMESHWARANANDA GIRI MAHARAJ

Swami Rameshwarananda Giri is a Hindu monk of the Holy Order of Swamis, representative of the Vedic Community of Spain. He is advisor for Interreligious Dialogue and Relations with the Administrations of the Hindu Federation of Spain and spiritual advisor to the Hindu Forum of Europe. He is also president of the PHI Foundation and vice-president of the Fundació Mediambiental, director of the University of Consciousness, of the PHI School of Yoga Vedanta and Meditation and creator of CampusPHI. He currently chairs the Transcendence International Interfaith Forum and represents the Religions of India on both the Elijah Board of World Religious Leaders and the International Mediterranean Conference of the Multaqa (UNESCO).

Pujya Swami Rameshwarananda Giri (Félix Balboa) was born on the 2nd of July 1968 in Bilbao, Spain. Even as a child he had a great inclination towards spirituality and began to practice spiritual disciplines from a very early age with the help of his mother, today Swamini Madhavananda Moyi Giri, who spent a large part of her day dedicated to the practice of yoga and meditation. Already at the age of five Swamiji would often sit by her side while she practised intense sadhana.

At the age of seven Swamiji joined a yoga school where he was instructed in various yogic disciplines. He soon had spiritual experiences and developed a certain degree of clairvoyance. At the age of thirteen he met his first spiritual preceptor, the Jesuit Father Ochoa, who soon realised the sensitivity, depth and intelligence of the young disciple and began to care for him personally, taking charge of his inner development.

It was not until he was nineteen that he met the man who would initiate and instruct him on the spiritual path, his Master, H.H. Sri Swami Ritajanandaji Maharaj, president of the Ramakrishna Mission in Europe. This was a turning point in the life of this still young aspirant. His life changed completely, From then on he devoted himself entirely to an introspective process of self-knowledge, contemplation and walking resolutely towards the state of awakening.

Simultaneously, he studied in Canada, receiving multidisciplinary training and gaining experience in the fields of psycho-education, special education, optical-acoustic perception and play pedagogy for children. As a culmination of this training phase, Swamiji spent some time with Amerindian shamans, learning cognitive introspection techniques from them.

Swami Rameshwarananda's keen interest in discovering ways to promote the development of human potential led him to focus on the study and practice of breathing techniques. He devoted himself especially to the study and practice of yoga applied to physical and mental health in the field of breathing (Yoga Therapy, Conscious Breathing, Therapeutic Yoga Breathing Techniques, Yoga Nidra).

He also obtained recognition in "The Loving Relationships Training" (LRT) in London and was part of the Spanish delegation to the "International LRT III" in Hawaii, where he participated with Sondra Ray, founder of the LRT. He then gained experience with the American psychologist Leonard Orr, founder of Rebirthing, in Campbell Hot Springs (California); he was also a professional assistant to therapists such as Marina Borrusso, Gunther Ballati and Hans Delyser. Later, he himself trained other practitioners.

It was during these years that he designed and developed a novel breathing technique for introspection and self-knowledge, based on yogic breathing techniques (kriyas), which he called Holistic Breathing (or Breathing for Knowledge), which he presented at the First International Conference on Holistic Health and Development of Human Potential held in Madrid in December 1989.

In 1991 he became Technical Manager of Oceanide Spain, a company dedicated to importing cutting-edge bio-feedback technology and bio-feeding systems for use in psychological therapies for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The next year he founded the Oceanide Centres in Spain, conceived as centres to bring together professionals from different fields (medicine, psychology, education and nutrition) involved in optical-acoustic research, the application of brainwave synthesizers, yoga, relaxation, postural integration, and breathing for the development of human potential from the most global and holistic approach.

At this time, in his eagerness to deepen his understanding of breathing, he became a rescue diver and received technical instruction in apnoea and other breathing techniques aimed at naturally and non-invasively increasing blood oxygen levels. Together with professional divers, he successfully tested breathing techniques to expand lung capacity and increase dive times by reducing air consumption; and also to minimise the effects of narcosis and avoid panic reactions. At the same time, he did technical consultancy work for underwater filming, implementing innovative cognitive and breathing techniques for use while using underwater filming equipment.

Before he passed away, his Master, H.H. Sri Swami Ritajanandaji Maharaj, expressed the wish that, in his absence, Swamiji should continue his spiritual training with H.H. Sri Swami Brahmananda Giri Maharaj, a very advanced yogi, direct heir to the lineages of Kriya Yoga, and president of the Atmananda Mission.

At the age of 25, Swamiji formally took his vows as a monk of the ancient monastic order of the Swamis of H.H. Swami Brahmanandaji Giri Maharaj and became Swami Rameshwarananda Giri. He was then sent to Spain where he established the PHI School of Yoga Vedanta and Meditation in 1993 and founded the Varanasi Ashram in 1994.

In 1995 he began his collaboration with the Vicente Ferrer Foundation, raising funds to finance the foundation's activities and carrying out field work. notably the design and execution of the project Iniciativa Comunidad Valenciana de Cooperación, which was carried out in Anantapur (India) and which gave support and infrastructure to a large part of the population (construction and installation of 170 biogas plants, 135 hectares of mango trees, 415 vegetable gardens, 35 schools, 393 houses, 6 centres for the disabled, 30 banks for women, 10 water channels and other basic necessities). To make all this possible, it was necessary to reach an agreement between various public and private institutions in the Valencian Community, including the Directorate General for Cooperation, the Provincial Councils of Valencia, Alicante and Castellón, Les Corts Valencianes, more than forty town councils, and various private organisations, federations, clubs and individuals.

His close friendship with Vicente Ferrer led Swami Rameshwarananda to work actively alongside him in many project areas. In addition, he collaborated in the structural development of the Vicente Ferrer Foundation, becoming its first representative in the Basque Country and Valencia, as well as being involved in the opening of the Madrid office.

When H.H. Swami Brahmanandaji Giri Maharaj passed away in 1997, he left the succession of the Kriya Yoga Guru Parampara and the position of president (Mahant) of the monastic lineage (Advaita Vedanta Giri Dasanami Sannyasin) in the hands of his disciple and successor, Pujya Swami Rameshwaranandaji Giri Maharaj. Nine years of total seclusion and silence followed for Swamiji. During this period, he worked intensively with numerous venerable spiritual instructors to deepen his spiritual development, devoting himself to the practice of meditation and the study of the scriptures.

After this intense period of retreat, many seekers of Truth began to visit him regularly, seeking answers to their own spiritual questions and concerns. The clarity of his discourse in explaining spiritual realities was remarkable for its precision, simplicity and insight. This made more and more people interested in getting to know him personally and to participate in his teachings. Gradually, all this led Swamiji to develop an enthusiastic program of activity, in a totally non-attached way, consisting of giving spiritual retreats and seminars on Vedanta philosophy and meditation to various groups of people who asked for them in Europe, America and India. At the same time, he was engaged in all kinds of altruistic actions and projects.

In 2006 he was the promoter of Phi Educational (later Phi Natural Health), where professionals from the fields of education, psychology and medicine converged to launch a project on Adapted Education and Integral Development for children and adults called "Phi Method." This method includes an introspective process of self-knowledge as an integral part of the therapeutic process.

In 2009 he founded and (and still chairs) the PHI Foundation, dedicated to promoting and strengthening the development of human potential and harmonising body, mind, spirit and environment. The Foundation promotes solidarity and cooperation between cultures and societies, stimulating the integral growth of the person to make a qualitative contribution to the process of harmony with oneself and with others. Other aims of the Foundation are the preservation of natural areas, the protection of the environment, and the promotion of the use of clean and renewable energies, as well as environmentally friendly architecture. It also promotes human contact with nature and the implementation of initiatives and projects aimed at equality, peace and kinship among all human beings.

Currently, Pujya Swami Rameshwarananda Giri Maharaj, Hindu monk of the Advaita Vedanta Dashnami Sannyasin (Dashnami Sampradaya) Order, is representative of the Vedic Community of Spain; director of the Vedantic Centre of Spain; director of the PHI School of Yoga Vedanta and Meditation; and member of the Kriya Yoga Parampara. As an expert in Vedanta philosophy, he is writer, translator and collaborator in numerous publications to impart the essence of Hindu thought.

Swamiji is founder and president of the PHI Foundation and vice-president of the Fundació Mediambiental. In this role he is developing Campus PHI (International Campus of Excellence), an innovative initiative that integrates technological projects in the field of sustainable development, international development cooperation and training, with knowledge and meditation as the cross-cutting elements. Campus PHI is the material manifestation of the inspiring principles and values of the PHI Foundation: ecology, knowledge and spirituality. Campus PHI hosts a stable human settlement in a rural environment, based on an ecologically healthy and economically viable system, producing what is necessary to satisfy its own needs while making prudent, conservationist and non-polluting use of natural resources.

Swamiji is creator and ideologist of the University of Consciousness Project of Campus PHI and promoter of its programme "Sharing Wisdom, an Act of Love." The University of Consciousness Project is an innovative teaching proposal, whose objective is to generate a space for reflection, analysis of new ideas, dialogue, critical thinking and integral harmonious development.

He is a founding member and current president of the Transcendence International Interfaith Forum and representative of the Religions of India in the Elijah Board of World Religious Leaders, as well as in the International Mediterranean Conference of the Multaqa. He has been appointed Spiritual Advisor of the Hindu Forum of Europe and is advisor for Interreligious Dialogue and Relations with the Administrations of the Hindu Federation of Spain. In these roles he has participated in numerous national and international forums.

PARAMPARA KRIYA YOGA MASTERS AND SWAMIS OF ADVAITA VEDANTA GIRI DASHANAMI SANNYASIN (MONASTIC LINEAGE DASHNAMI SAMPRADAYA)

• Mahavatar Babaji
• Yogiraj Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahasaya (1828 - 1895)
• Swami Yukteswarananda Giri (1855 - 1936)
• Swami Kebalananda Giri (1872 - 1932)
• Paramahamsa Swami Yogananda Giri (1893 - 1952)
• Swami Atmananda Giri (1896 - 1963)
• Swami Brahmananda Giri (1920 - 1997)
• Swami Rameshwarananda Giri (1968 - ...)

Spiritual Masters of H.E. Swami Rameshwarananda Giri Maharaj:

• H.H. Swami Ritajananda Puri (President of the Ramakrishna Mission)
• H.H. Swami Brahmananda Giri (President of Swami Atmananda Mission)
• H.H. Swami Buteshananda Puri (President of the Ramakrishna Mission)
• H.H. Chandra Swami Udasin (President of Sadhana Kendra)
• H.H. Swami Vijayananda (disc. Anandamayee Ma)
• Madhuri (disc. Swami Ramdas)
• Divine Mother (Hawaii)
• Father Estanislao (Benedictine)
• Father Basili (Benedictine)
• Father Ochoa (Jesuit)

Masters who have personally supported H.E. Swami Rameshwarananda Giri Maharaj in his spiritual journey:

• Sri Mata Amritanandamayi (AMMA)
• H.H. Shiva Rudra Balayogi (Sri Shivabalayogui Maharaj Ashram)
• H.H. Swami Chitananda Saraswati (President of the Divine Life Society)
• H.H. Swami Vimalananda Saraswati (President of the Divine Life Society)
• H.H. Lakshmandas Avadhoot Swami (Lakshman Jula Ashram)
• H.H. Bahai Harbhajan Singh Ji Udasin (High Priest of the Gurudwara Mahant Kirpal Das)
• H.H. Swami Chaitanyananda Puri (President of Purushottam Ashram Vashista Guha)
• Pujya Swami Jnanananda Giri (disc. Swami Atmananda Giri – Kaivalyam)
• Pujya Swami Nityananda Puri (President of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Mission)
• Pujya Swami Mukyananda Puri (Ramakrishna Mission, Belhur Math)
• Pujya Swami Premvivekananda Udasin (Vice-President Sadhana Kendra)
• Pujya Swami Hamsananda Saraswati (Shivananda Mission)
• Siddhi Ma (Param Pujya Sri Neem Karoli Baba Maharaj Ashram)
• Venerable Shobita (President of the Centre for Buddhist Studies in Paris)
• Soden Shuyu Narita Roshi (Soto Zen Master of Todenji Temple - Japan)

Complementary training:

• The synergistic theory (Dr. Jacobo Grinberg Zylberbaum)
• Self-allusive meditation (Dr. Jacobo Grinberg Zylberbaum)
• Nutrition, mind and behaviour (Dr. José Manuel Rodríguez Delgado)
• Orthomolecular nutrition (Dr. José Colastra Sansegundo)
• The treatment of dyslexia (Prof. Raphael Van Assche)
• Holistic kinesiology (Prof. Raphael Van Assche)
• Aromatherapy (Dr. Anne Beeken)
• Energy-harmony-love (Dr. Anne Beeken)
• Psychaturism and psychohumanism (Prof. José María Mahou Pérez)
• Medical dowsing (Prof. Albert García Serrats)
• Holistic iridiology, Salomé Method (Dr. Javier Grissó Salomé)
• Rejuvenation and health (Dr. José Álvaro Calle Guglieri)
• Paranormal healing (Prof. Salvador Freixedo)
• Therapeutic interrelations of colour and music (Dr. José Antonio Martínez Candel)
• Homeostasis, super-immunity and longevity (D. Enrique de Vicente)
• Orgone therapy and its prophylactic project - Post-Reichian perspective (Dr. Xabier Serrano)
• Cosmotelluric radiation and its influence (Prof. Mariano Bueno i Bosch)
• Climate change and extreme phenomena (Thematic Week - Water Tribune / IPCC)
• Medical Biomagnetism by the University of Chapingo (Mexico)- (Dr. Isaac Goiz Durán)
• École de Métamorphose (Switzerland) - Méthode Violette Prod'hom
• Course of Direction and Management of Religious Entities - Autonomous University of Madrid

READ ABOUT SRI SHANKARACHARYA AND THE HOLY ORDER OF SWAMIS