| In Tribute to the Ancestors, Heroes & Martyrs of Human Rights, Liberation, and Transformation |
| We have created this page because the focus of IKOLOGIKS and the IAIAS, Inc. is the celebration of "Life" or "Ankh Consciousness." We inner-stand that those that depart from this plain of consciousness due to illness, accident or old age have not really departed. The ancestors remain always with us in our hearts and minds, until the day comes when we join them in the transition. These pages will celebrate the lives of those leaving us since 2005, and beyond, rather than throughout history. |
| On Behalf of the IAIAS, Inc. WE WISH TO EXPRESS OUR HEARTFELT PRAYERS & LOVE to the Worldwide Devotees of BHAKTI-TIRHTA SWAMI Founder of the Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology Our Beloved Teacher & GURUDEVA made his transition from this world on June 27th 2005. May LORD KRSNA Grant Him Everlasting Peace! |
Reflections by Adisaji on the Life & Times of Bhakti Tirhta Swami (Gurudev)
energy into action for the total benefit of others, without concern for one's own self interest."
T. Swami's was suffering from a life-threatenting illness in 2004, I was filled with a deep and profound sense of sorrow and confusion. Somehow, I thought and reasoned, he would survive his suffering or a miracle would grant him ample time to spend many more years among his devotees. However, as I received the reports from the USA (Gita Nagri) they grew more ominous and I realized that our dear Beloved Gurudeva's departure was imminent. I had recently failed to see him in the year prior to his departure (2004), while I was in the USA on sabbatical from teaching duties in South Korea. But, due to a conflict in our mutual schedules and Gurdeva's declining health we missed each other by only a few days. Consequently, I feel extreme sadness knowing that we will never be able to embrace one last time. In 2005 my teaching duties in South Korea were again absorbing so much of my time that I could not keep up on Gurudeva's health status. In fact, I had not checked the IFAST website since March of this year and had no idea about the postings on his declining health at www.BTSWAMI.com. Therefore, it is indeed a miracle, lila and part of Gurdeva's special grace that just three days prior to Gurudeva's departure something made me check the website. I felt chills run down my spine as I realized that B.T. Swami wanted to say good-bye and let me witness the joyous moment of his reunion with his Beloved Spiritual Master Srila Prabhupada and Supreme LORD KRSNA. Therefore, I feel especially blessed to have observed (even though thousands of miles away) the passing of Gurudeva at the website. This offering via the Internet was made possible by the loving devotees at Gita Nagri. I know I speak for all the supporters of the International Academy of Ikologiks & Advanced Studies, Inc. when we give honor and pay tribute to Gurudeva with our upmost LOVE and JOYOUS KIRTAN -- Guru Maharaj Ki Jai!!
Baba Ur Deon Solek -- "Adisaji" International Academy of Ikologiks & Advanced Studies, Inc. |
Monday 27th June - 14:59
The Journal of the Glorious
Departure of His Holiness Bhakti-
tirtha Swami. June 27, 3:30 – 4:00
His Holiness Bhakti-tirhta Swami passed away from
this world, and into the loving embrace of Srila
Prabhupada and Sri Sri Radha Syamasundar at 3:35pm
this afternoon. Gurudeva’s passing was so graceful
and peaceful, as if he slipped out by the gentle hands
his helpers to board his chariot.
Sangita Prabhu noticed a change in Gurudeva’s
breathing pattern and alerted Brahma- muhurta Prabhu,
who immediately came and sprayed Radha Kunda water
around Gurudeva and applied Tulasi from Krsna-
Balaram, Radhe Syam, and Gaura Nitai to his tongue.
Srila Radhanatha Swami had left the room briefly. He
was altered, and sat down next to Gurudeva. Shortly
after that, Gurudeva gave a very gentle breath, a kind of
release. It was so slight and graceful, so much so that
half the people in the room didn’t notice it. It was his
last breath.
After this Sangita and Madhvacarya checked his vital
signs. And minutes latter confirmed that Gurudeva had
indeed made – “the perfect escape”
As the final check of Gurudeva’s vital signs was
happening the kirtana intensified, and grew in the
minutes it took. When the confirmation finally was
expressed, the kirtana roared, rising up with emotion.
So many of the devotees started to clap along with the
kirtana, with their hands over their heads. The devotees
were crying, embracing one another, expressing their
feelings of celebration and sadness. Then Kalpavrksa
Prabhu loudly chanted the prema dvanai pranam for
Gurudeva and for Srila Prabhupada.
The kirtana continued in Gurudeva’s room for
sometime. Initially devotees in the living room stayed
there, but then after five minutes they stared filing into
the room, and naturally a queue formed, allowing
everyone to have a final darsan of Gurudeva in his bed.
Gurudeva’s expression was so sublime, like he was in
divine rapture – in awe, in gratitude, in love. The
processional through Gurudeva’s room continued for
ten minutes, and then concluded leading out into the
living room. From there the departure ceremony
continued with Vrakesvara Pandit leading the devotees
in Sankirtana, circumambulating around Gurudeva’s
room and the Institute House. Inside Gurudeva’s room
everyone except a small group assembled to assist
Brahma-muhurta and Radhanatha Swami in the
Samadhi Samskara process, which is currently going
on.
We will continue to send updates and pictures
throughout the full duration of the departure
ceremony. The processional bringing Gurudeva from
the Institute House to the temple will begin at 8pm, est.
All glories to the most sublime departure of that great
general of Srila Prabhupada who deeply touched the
lives of so many thousands and brought Srila
Prabhupoada’s transformation throughout the world.
May his legacy be carried by us, leading us to meet
with him again in kind.
His Holiness Bhakti-tirtha Swami Maharaj Ki Jai!!!
The Journal of the Glorious
Departure of His Holiness Bhakti-
tirtha Swami. June 27, 3:30 – 4:00
His Holiness Bhakti-tirhta Swami passed away from
this world, and into the loving embrace of Srila
Prabhupada and Sri Sri Radha Syamasundar at 3:35pm
this afternoon. Gurudeva’s passing was so graceful
and peaceful, as if he slipped out by the gentle hands
his helpers to board his chariot.
Sangita Prabhu noticed a change in Gurudeva’s
breathing pattern and alerted Brahma- muhurta Prabhu,
who immediately came and sprayed Radha Kunda water
around Gurudeva and applied Tulasi from Krsna-
Balaram, Radhe Syam, and Gaura Nitai to his tongue.
Srila Radhanatha Swami had left the room briefly. He
was altered, and sat down next to Gurudeva. Shortly
after that, Gurudeva gave a very gentle breath, a kind of
release. It was so slight and graceful, so much so that
half the people in the room didn’t notice it. It was his
last breath.
After this Sangita and Madhvacarya checked his vital
signs. And minutes latter confirmed that Gurudeva had
indeed made – “the perfect escape”
As the final check of Gurudeva’s vital signs was
happening the kirtana intensified, and grew in the
minutes it took. When the confirmation finally was
expressed, the kirtana roared, rising up with emotion.
So many of the devotees started to clap along with the
kirtana, with their hands over their heads. The devotees
were crying, embracing one another, expressing their
feelings of celebration and sadness. Then Kalpavrksa
Prabhu loudly chanted the prema dvanai pranam for
Gurudeva and for Srila Prabhupada.
The kirtana continued in Gurudeva’s room for
sometime. Initially devotees in the living room stayed
there, but then after five minutes they stared filing into
the room, and naturally a queue formed, allowing
everyone to have a final darsan of Gurudeva in his bed.
Gurudeva’s expression was so sublime, like he was in
divine rapture – in awe, in gratitude, in love. The
processional through Gurudeva’s room continued for
ten minutes, and then concluded leading out into the
living room. From there the departure ceremony
continued with Vrakesvara Pandit leading the devotees
in Sankirtana, circumambulating around Gurudeva’s
room and the Institute House. Inside Gurudeva’s room
everyone except a small group assembled to assist
Brahma-muhurta and Radhanatha Swami in the
Samadhi Samskara process, which is currently going
on.
We will continue to send updates and pictures
throughout the full duration of the departure
ceremony. The processional bringing Gurudeva from
the Institute House to the temple will begin at 8pm, est.
All glories to the most sublime departure of that great
general of Srila Prabhupada who deeply touched the
lives of so many thousands and brought Srila
Prabhupoada’s transformation throughout the world.
May his legacy be carried by us, leading us to meet
with him again in kind.
His Holiness Bhakti-tirtha Swami Maharaj Ki Jai!!!
| A Personal Reflection on B.T.Swami by Adisaji Maina Omar (Baba Ur Deon Solek) |
- "Writers, often say that history is so important!
To remember the road we have traveled is
helpful to those who will come after us. In this
spirit I think it is important to share some of
my own experiences with B.T. Swami and the
community of devotees he embraced for so
much of his life on this earth." -- Adisaji--
- I first had the privilege of meeting B.T. Swami in 1989. It was
actually the same year the IAIAS, Inc. was founded and
incorporated in Washington, DC as an outgrowth of the
Ecologics training programs (1979-1989).
At that time, this warm and passionate brother was
commonly known as "Swami Krsnapad" (formerly, John E.
Favors). This humble and courageous spiritual warrior was
rapidly gaining recognition throughout the DC area as a
man of compassion, fortitude, and loving service to all
human beings. Those who basked in the warm shade of his
aura resided worldwide, from South Africa to Kosovo, from
Russia to Ukraine, as B.T. Swami evangelized around the
world on behalf of Srila Prabhupada, founder of the
International Society of Krsna Consciousness (ISKCON).
When I had my first audience with Gurudeva in 1989, it
came as a result of his two faithful servants at that time
Vrajalila and Enkendra Dasi. These two devotees assisted
unselfishly (among others) in organizing the newly founded
IFAST (Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology). IFAST
was first located in a house on 16th street near the Carter
Barron Amplitheater of Rock Creek Park (Washington,
DC). It was at this location that I had the opportunity for an
audience with B.T. Swami along with Tanya Strivers (co-
founder of the IAIAS, Inc.). In my first encounter with B.T.
Swami he appeared to me as a humble man. Yet, he
maintained an intense focus that seemed at times
authoritative. I attempted to perform pranams at his lotus
feet -- but, he immediately asked me not to citing it was not
the custom. He spoke with me as a close brother would
during our first meeting. In the brief session (one hour) we
shared expressions and ideas about our mutual goals as
represented in our different organizations and concluded
we could certainly work together. Tanya and I were both
elated and a few pictures were taken. Later, Tanya
departed the IAIAS,Inc. to live in Belize, but maintained
close ties with devotees of BT Swami over the years.
During the period from 1989 to 1991, the members of
IFAST and IAIAS, Inc. began to share many joyous
moments working together in the DC spiritual commu nity. I
was often asked to speak at IFAST seminars or events in
the Washington, DC area. For example, I spoke at a forum
that IFAST sponsored at Howard University and even on
one occasion was asked to introduce "Swami Krsnapad."
In 1990, when the new video/documentary about Ikologiks
entitled "Ecologics: The Silent Revolution"
(Directed/Prodcuced by Skip Calloway/Ajamila) premiered
in the home of Keith Crawford, PhD (an IAIAS, Inc. former
member) in Washington, DC. The room was filled with
several members of IFAST. Later, in 1991 the President of
the IAIAS, Inc. Skip Calloway (Ajimila) departed the IAIAS,
Inc. to affiliate with the devotees of B.T. Swami. These were
some painful times for me as I slowly watched my own
cherished students departing to associate with another
path/teacher. I must truly admit that I had some jealous
moments and personal hurt entered into me seeing that
many of the students of IKOLOGIKS were being recruited
into the ISKCON/IFAST orb. In retrospect, I am glad that
those who needed the special guidance and direction of
the Vaisnava community or ISKCON were able to benefit
from association with B.T. Swami and his devotees. This
great lesson helped me to learn detachment and to see
that 'God is the doer and we are merely the instruments'
seeking out the Grace of God. In fact, I now realize the
IKOLOGIKS Darshana (Philosophy) while seemingly
different/opposite to the Vaisnava, Bhakti and Vedic
traditions (embraced by B.T. Swami and his devotees) was
nevertheless fully harmonized with those teachings
whenever we performed kirtana or bhajana in fellowship
together.
In 1991 at the time of the 1st Gulf War (Iraq) the IAIAS, Inc.
sponsored a "Pro-Peace Rally" on the campus of American
University (Kay Spiritual Center). The program was offered
to actively employ applied spiritual technology principals
(prayer, chanting, meditation, etc.) in seeking a just end to
this tragic war. We prayed for a lower number of casualties
and a quick end to suffering of the Iraqi people caused by
this conflict. I recall how the members of IFAST under B.T.
Swami were so supportive and helpful in assisting in this
program and many of the other subsequent activities we
sponsored. I always felt the presence of B.T. Swami in all
these events even though he was doing missionary work in
Africa and parts of Europe on behalf of ISKCON and IFAST
at the same time.
In the spring of 1992, the IAIAS, Inc. organized a special
conference entitled the "Black Survival Encampment." I
recall asking B.T. Swami to speak at the conference and
he enthusiastically agreed despite his numerous other
worldwide duties and commitments. Tragically, the event
was poorly attended and canceled. Gradually the other
work of the IAIAS, Inc. also went into decline during the
period from 1993 - 1996. The work of the IAIAS, Inc. was
largely abandoned by2000 as community interest was
drawn elsewhere. I remember witnessing the
successfulness of entities like IFAST that were
accomplishing similar goals in the spiritual community. I felt
that perhaps the Most High was saving the Dharma of
Ikologiks for a latter time in history and quietly ended my
own teaching efforts in 1999.
In April 2002, I would have my final personal audience with
B.T. Swami. I visited the Gita Nagri farm in Pennsylvania in
celebration of my 47th birthday. I will never forget the
LOVE & WARMTH showered upon me from the moment I
arrived the first night at Gita Nagri (after a six hour drive
from Washington, DC). I had not seen many of the
devotees of B.T. Swami for several years. But, I felt when
we embraced each other it was like we had never been
separated. I was given a special room in the house of
Ekavira and Vrajalila under a special request by B.T.
Swami himself. I was there to celebrate my 47th birthday
(April 4th) at Gita Nagri and to have an audience with B.T.
Swami if permitted. To my surprise and joy B.T. Swami
personally directed the devotees to prepare a splendid
birthday celebration for me in his own residence with cake.
We all sat and watched the viewing of a special new video
on the life of Srilia Prabhupada. It seemed such a blessed
way to spend my birthday.
On my final day at Gita Nagri, B.T. Swami met with me for
almost three hours. We chatted informally like two old
friends. We both realized the great need and serious task
of bringing forth "spiritual warriors" in this Kali Yuga (age).
We reflected on the dark days that may await humanity
should we not 'RETURN TO GODHEAD.' When it was
finally time to leave each other we both exchanged gifts. I
gave him a copy of 'Ultimate Mental Power' and he gave
me a package of personal items that once belonged to