Close to Us

My "First Date” with Swamiji Balendu ............ - Dr. Michael Kosak

Foreword

Meeting Swamiji Balendu in May 2001 was a great honour for me. The friendship that exists between our families has become one of love & is precious to us all.

At this point I would like to explain that the circumstances that occured during a flight to Mallorca on the 27. May 2001 when I met Swamiji, were so bizarre that I have decided to dedicate a book about our developments and experiences at a later date.

This is the story or "time-line" of my "first contact":

To obtain the true perspective of the story one should take into consideration that our first meeting took place on 24. December 2000; only I had no idea it had taken place.

An unexpected christmas card arrived on 24. December 2000 from my very good friend Bernd Dietrichs that I had worked with years earlier.

The card showed two indian gods arm in arm that I did not recognise. At that time I had travelled extensively through India but had not yet acquired any in-depth knowledge of the Indian religion.

I kept the card and glanced at it periodically.

-----time passed-----

In May 2001 my wife Andrea had travelled to Mallorca with friends. The plan was that I finish work for the week and follow with our son Ravael.

I looked forward to the trip and was full of pleasant expection. I was relaxed and very open for new experiences. Accordingly I wore white jeans and a bright orange shirt for the trip. Life was good.

After check-in at the Airport Terminal 4 in Hamburg, Ravael and myself sat down to relax with time on our hands and observe the goings-on of the airport.

Amongst the passenger crowds I noticed a young man dressed in magnificent white robes, with long black hair and beard. The way this person was moving had a destinct style and was lightly sweeping through the crowd. His calmness reached me and reminded me of meditation. I mentioned to Ravael: "Look, there goes a true king".

We were out of sight of the graceful king and took the oppurtunity to do some shopping. I bought perfume for my wife and a new fragrance also for myself. I was in such a good mood that I grabbed a couple of bottles of Champagne as well.

While waiting for the boarding-call, we sat and watched the aircraft landing and taking-off on the runways. Within me I felt once more a sense of inner quiet, I looked around and my glance fell upon the nobleman full of grace. I was deeply fascinated.

I was happy that he also seemed to be travelling to Mallorca. That he was indian seemed obvious.

Ravael was five years old at the time and so I concluded he would fall asleep quite quickly once we had taken off. That would give me the better half of two hours during the flight to make contact with the interesting man from India.

The flight only being half full meant that I shared a full aisle with Ravael. The unknown man took his seat a few rows further forward in the back half of the aircraft.

I told myself to be patient and wait for an oppurtunity while he or myself would be going to the lavatory later on.

As suspected Ravael was fast asleep within minutes. My second guess to wait for the man to make the first move was confirmed when he rose for the bathroom. My oppurtunity would be on his return.

As he approached my seat just a few minutes later I greeted him with: "Hi Swami!"

Instinctively I thought my approach was in a too direct tone, however, the gentleman stopped, turned and smiled at me.

"Where you go to?" was my question. He answered: "I fly Mallorca!"

At that instant I said to myself: "What a silly question since we are on the same plane already ènroute for Palma!"

"What are you doing on Mallorca?" I asked.

He said: "I am preaching and doing meditation."

For some reason the tune and pictures of the 70’s hit: "Preacher Man" came to mind.
"Wonderful!" I answered and made room for him in our row. "I also meditate" and dreamt of once meditating with him.

"Where are you staying on the island?" was my next question.

"I don’t know" he replied, I only have a phone number.

"Wow" was an instinctive response of wonder that I had met a real travelling freak that had no idea what was going to happen to him.

He told me that he was from Vindavan, not far from Agra.

I had never heard of Vrindavan and was aggrivated by the fact I had been to India so many times and had not experienced or ven heard of this holy place. The fact it was near Agra and the Taj Mahal calmed me slightly and gave me a general idea of orientation.

Eventually I asked his name.

"Goswami Balendu" was his reply.
He spoke so softly that it compared a beautiful melody.
I had actually misheard him say "Swami" and thought to have a Osho Sanyassin next to me.
Being a Sanyasin myself I got more and more excited.

In fact I had misheard and duly asked him what his name meant: "Balendu means: Little Moon" he replied.

I was in Love. ....like a arrow to the heart!

Little Moon, Little Moon, I repeated to myself again and again. I was in love!

As Ravael awoke it was apparent that we had started the approach to Palma.
Balendu gave me his phone number and I promised to call.

"What a terrific start to the trip!" I said to myself.

Thirty minutes later, with luggage and Ravael in hand we passed security and expected to see Andrea awaiting us eagerly.
On the way to the car-park I wanted to tell Andrea of Balendu as she mentioned she had seen an interesting Indian leave the Terminal and suspected I had been in contact with him.

That's feminine intuition for you!!

On Monday I was wondering the whole morning where Goswami could possibly be staying. It was obvious he had not got a clue where he was heading and only had the phone number he gave me. Although strange it seemed to be suficient for him.

My mood was great and I looked forward to caling him that afternoon.

As usual we had rented an Apartment in Sometimes near the Plaja de Palma. It is easy to reach the city from there.

That afternoon I called Balendu and reached another unfamiliar indian voice on the phone. I asked for Balendu.

"One moment please."

"Yes, helloooouu?" came in a sweet melody.

"Where are you Balendu?" I asked.

He asked someone in Hindi and replied "Schinkenstraße".

I had to laugh at the bizarre address. A holy guru in the midst of the infamous Ballermann. Hilarious!!
"Where are you?" I replied in disbelief!

"Schinkenstrasse!"
"You can come around 6 o’clock to the Darshan", he said, smiling.

I confirmed and as I put the phone down my whole body was excited in anticipation.
My first visit would be alone and I would report the experience to Andrea.

The fact we were only 10 Minutes from the "Ballermann" was a huge coincidence considering the size of Mallorca. Truly unbelievable.

Just before six I left for the Schinkenstrasse and was more or less dancing down the road, full of anticipation, past the small roads and huge finca gardens. The mysticism of the shadows and light of the evening formed a deep sense of greatfulness within me; I was alive!

Before entering the four-storey building at the end of the Schinkenstrasse I paused and took time to gather myself in preperation. While observing the area and the nature of the road it struck me to be unexpectedly quite, even silent. I was looking down the road toward the sea. At the opposite end of the street a few cars entered through a stone archway.

I rang the bell.
The entrance was open, so was the apartment door on the fourth floor.
Two pairs of indian eyes greeted me.

"My name is Dr. Kosak, I`m here to see Swamiji Balendu!?"

The two ladies led me to the living-area that had been completely emptied except for one small table by the fireplace and a couch.
The view was magnificient and looked straight out to see.
"I knew it; you can see the med from up here!" I said to myself.

One of the ladies asked me to be patient and sit down. Also if I would like have something to drink or some fruit. I took some peanuts and sat myself cross-legged on the floor.

Duly the doorbell rang and two further indian women in saris entered the room. They sat down alongside me.
In the next twenty minutes more and more indian women arrived, until we were about fifteen people sitting in a half circle. The fact I was the only man present made me savour the moment exceptionally.

Balendu duly entered the room, was smiling, concentrated and silent. Our glances met with no reaction. He sat down on the couch and was quietly whispering. I figured a prayer for all persons present. No one was talking and an energy-filled-silence prevailed.

Balendu began singing in Hindi. The sounds entering the appartment from the area had no effect and his voice slowly went quiet.

Of course I could not understand a word he was saying. I was very aware of the energy, intesity and presence I saw in his eyes. Something I had experienced before in the presence of Osho while in Pune.

The Darshan lasted about one hour, I think. The relaxed state I had once again found had made time unimportant and I had no idea what time it was. I knew one thing; I was happy!

When the darshan was over each participent left some sort of gift for Balendu and he blessed each and every one of them as they left the building.

I took a moment for the experience to settle and seated myself next to Balendu on the couch. We looked at one another in depth.

My vision returned back into the room and was wondering. I noticed a picture in a silver frame on the small table. Somehow the picture touched me and I had to ask "who is that?".

It was a picture of a child and so unbelievably beautiful I had difficulty to discribe. I wasn't sure if it reminded me of someone or something??

"Thats my master" replied Balendu.

All I could articulate was a "wow!" and I got up and said goodbye.

"You can come back!" he exclaimed.

I thanked him for everything and left saying "I have your number".

My way home led back along the beach on the bay of Palma The Tramuntana mountain range to the west being highlighted orange in the evening sunlight. During dinner I explained my experience to Andrea & Ravael.

The day after I rang old friends that have been living on Mallorca since the mid nineties and are not too far away either. On every visit we find a reason to have dinner and party together. As soon as I told my story they were also eager to meet Balendu.

That Tuesday afternoon I called Balendu once again.

"Of course you can all come!" Balendu said.

"Thank you, we will!" and had a huge smile on my face.

Punctual at 11 o`clock we were all gathered in the infamous Schinkenstraße.
This predjudice I find not justified.

Regina and Rainer had their two sons with them. Andrea and Ravael accompanied myself.
The sun was shining magnificently and was spoiling us rotten!
The "seven pilgrims" entered the building, reached the appartment and was welcomed one after another by Balendu who entered the same empty front room in a similar state I had experienced before.

After the same ritual there commenced a long discussion where anyone could openly speak about what was on their mind.

After a time Balendu asked if we would like to see a film about him made in India.
"But of course!" we answered excitedly.

The first part of the film showed the scene on 10. September 1997 in Vrindavan when Balendu entered the cave; his hair was shaven for the occasion.
I calculated had was 25 years of age at that time and wondered what could possibly motivate a young man like himself to leave the world for a few years??
The second part of the film was taken December 24. 2000. Christamas Eve in Germany I thought.
The scene was the breaking of the cave-wall and Balendu`s return to the real world exactly 3 years and four months afetr initially enterng the cave.

I wondered how a hman being could possibly endure such a feat.

We were all deeply moved by the pictures that only created even more questions within us. Some of which I can only estimate to take weeks, months even years to digest.

Balendu exclaimed that he would be travelling to London the next afternoon.
We made a date to see him off and say farewell at the airport.

Like clock-work, the seven Pilgrims were on time again the next day.

Similar to my previous experience at Hamburg Airport I sense the notion of tranquility that is born in me by his presence. The depth of quiet and calmness awakening me in the moment of an elevated sense for my surroundings and situation not otherwise experienced in my every-day state of mind.

With said our farewells and with a sad tear in the corner of my eye we bid our holy journey man farewell.
"You can come visit me in India!" were his final words as he turned and "you can come visit us in Germany" I instinctively offered.

With that he was through the gate and gone.

The following days followed with ease and some "rituals" with friends that included the opening of the "Veuve" bottles! ;-)

Duly we arrived back to regular life in Germany.

Some time after our arrival home the christmas- post- card we had received on Christmas Eve 2000 found ist way into my hands. This time around I took a closer look at it.

One of the god like faces on the card seemed similar to the face portrayed on the picture Balendu had had with him. Just this face was considerably older. On the reverse the name stated was Shri Ram.

I was sure Balendu had told me a very similar name.
Besides that: "When had Balendu left the cave?"

It was Christmas Eve 2000 I told myself; this realisation hit me like a ton of bricks.
The possibility, coincidences and unbelivability of what had occured was overwhelming. Sufficiently even for my every day conscious to withdraw and deny the possibility of what was obvious!

One day in November 2001 I answered the phone at home and heard a very distinct voice I had heard before! :)
"I can come Lüneburg?" was the question.

"But of course Balendu!" was my instant response and I already looked forward to my second date with him.