Shri Babaji's Programme at Oxford University

Following several successful programmes in London, Shri Babaji was invited by the Oxford Meditation Society to deliver a programme at Oxford University on 5 July 2010. Over 100 people, mainly masters and doctoral students at the ancient university, attended the programme and had their first encounter with Babaji.

The setting of the programme was suitably magnificent. The grand stone chapel with stained glass windows resonated with the sound of a lone violin as people entered the hall. As the crowd settled, there was a profound silence. Then everyone rose to their feet as the Master entered.

Shri Babaji began His discourse by explaining the famous "Brahmanandam" shloka from the Guru Gita. In doing so, He established from the outset the conscious state of a Yogi. Babaji paid rich tributes to His Guru, Shri Swamiji, who had achieved this exalted state and had led Babaji to Self Realization. Babaji taught that though so much has been achieved in this world through imagination, yet peace and happiness are elusive. The Yogi has achieved that Supreme Peace and Happiness by becoming totally aware of His Existence as the Self. This cannot be limited by visualization and intellectual reasoning, but must be experienced first hand. To achieve this state, one needs to adopt proper methods, sadhana. Babaji spoke about the methods and lessons taught to Him by His Guru, Shri Swamiji. Then Babaji initiated those who had come for the first time - almost the entire audience - before commencing the practice of meditation. After meditation, the students asked sincere and practical questions of the Master.

The UK leg of Babaji's world tour ended with a public programme in Bristol, a residential retreat in rural Hampshire, and a special advanced meditation session in central London which was well attended with 70 people sitting in perfect stillness for two hours in the Presence of His Holiness Shri Babaji.