Muktananda Interview, Rishikesh India at the Sivinanda Ashram

In this 2024 interview conducted by Bill Free and Leif Heimbold in Rishikesh, India, Swami Muktananda shares his spiritual journey, focusing on his path to self-realization. He recounts his early connection to Swami Chidananda and the Divine Life Society, beginning in Canada and evolving into a lifelong dedication to God. Muktananda emphasizes the sacredness of Rishikesh as a spiritual hub, where sages have gathered for thousands of years to realize their true nature. He highlights three fundamental errors people make: identifying with the body, believing the world is real, and perceiving God as separate. Through practices like meditation, repetition of God's name, and deep inquiry into one's true Self, Muktananda describes how Vedanta teachings guided him beyond duality. His journey culminated in the realization that true awakening reveals the eternal nature of the Self, which has always been present. His insights offer a profound perspective on the essence of meditation, the importance of spiritual practice, and the ultimate goal of life—Self-realization.