His Holiness Swami Ramakrishnananda, or Gurudev as his disciples call him out of respect and love, is a spiritual master, a yogi, a mystic and a completely enlightened being. Gurudev has dedicated his life to serve God and humanity, and has become a true source of inspiration, whose touch enriches the lives of thousands of people. Both within and beyond the framework of Hinduism, Swami Ramakrishnananda has become one of the most respected spiritual masters of our time.
Swami Ramakrishnananda was born in Santiago, capital of the Republic of Chile, on March 21st, 1958. At the age of eight, a mystical experience made a deep impression upon him that would determine the future course of his life, by impelling him to search for the truth. This experience influenced his early life to such an extent that throughout his adolescence he dedicated himself to the careful study of Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Buddhism, as well as western philosophy.
His spiritual inquiry led him to leave the land of his birth and live for periods of time in India, the Middle East and the United States. He traveled through South America and Europe in search of religious or spiritual authorities who could offer him some information about his transcendental experience. This investigation lead him to visit pastors, rabbis, priests, roshis, gurus, devotees, mystics, shamans, guides and masters of different lines, paths and spiritual beliefs. It was only after an extensive period of study of the Sanatana-dharma in all its different aspects, that he adopted Hinduism as his own religion.
Throughout his years of study, he has been certified as a guide, instructor and professor of yoga, and obtained titles from prestigious organizations, among which are: Sivananda Yoga Vedanta, Institute of Vedic Jiva Studies , Prana Yoga Ashram, Ma Yoga Shakti Mission, Yoga Research Foundation, Integral Yoga, Braham Yoga Shiromani, Pathanjala Yoga Kendra, Rishikesh Yoga Peeth, Vrindavan Institute of Vedic Culture and Studies, etc.
In 1995, in Rishikesh, India, Swami Ramakrishnananda met his eternal spiritual master, His Divine Grace Sri Baba Brahmananda Maharaja, personal disciple of His Divine Grace Bhagavan Mastarama Babaji Maharaja, and received formal initiation from him. After thirty years of an unceasing spiritual search, the divine experience that he had sought for so long, returned to reveal itself in all its splendor.
Subsequently, with the duly received permission of his guru, he accepted initiation from various siksha-gurus, or instructing spiritual masters, who gave him instruction and training in the different paths of yoga. Among these, twelve esteemed masters are: His Holiness Sri Narahari das Babaji, His Holiness Swami Vishnu Devananda Saraswati, His Holiness Tamal Krishna Goswami, His Holiness Swami Krishnananda, His Holiness Swami Swahananda, His Holiness Swami Krishnananda Saraswati, His Holiness Sripad Bhakti Srirupa Radhanti Maharaja, His Holiness Swami Jyotirmayananda Saraswati, His Holiness Swami Dayananda, His Holiness B.A. Paramadvaiti Maharaja, His Holiness Atulananda Acharya and His Holiness Sant Keshava das.
Swami Ramakrishnananda accepted sannyas, or the sacred order of renounced life within Hinduism, directly from His Holiness Swami Jyotirmayananda Saraswati, disciple of His Holiness Swami Sivananda Saraswati and His Holiness B.A. Paramadvaiti Maharaja, disciples of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Gurudev’s devotion or bhakti, and his constant transcendental experience of the Self or Vedanta, have made him a faithful exponent of the honorable title of Bhaktivedanta which he received from the Gaudia Vaishnava Mission Vrinda. He has also been awarded titles such as Krishna Bhakta and Yoga Acharya, directly from the hands of His Holiness Swami Vishnu Devananda; Yoga Ratna, received from His Holiness Swami Jyotirmayananda Saraswati; Bhakti Shastri, from His Holiness Sri B.A. Paramadvaiti Maharaja; and many others, such as Yoga Praveena, Yogacharya, Yoga Shiromani, etc.
Gurudev’s message covers each and every facet of the Sanatana-dharma in an integral manner. He has based his vision on orthodox Hinduism, without excluding any of its aspects.
In 2003, at the request of his spiritual master, Gurudev founded the Vishwa Dharma Mandalam mission in New York City, with the objective of spreading his vision of the Sanatana-dharma religion to a wider audience in the West. As the organization is ever expanding, it continues to welcome new spiritual seekers who wish to benefit from Gurudev’s guidance and inspiration.
Swami Ramakrishnananda has the acceptance, public recognition and broad support from respectable swamis, yogis, rishis, pandits and prominent authorities within Hinduism. His works, lectures, workshops, courses and activities, and in brief, his wisdom and devotion have contributed to make him worthy of the affection, appreciation, respect and support of his disciples and followers, as well as the respectable Hindu community.
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