Sai Rapture
The Ecstatic Journey of a Modern Day Gopi
  • Sai Rapture
  • Sai Rapture ~ The Book
    • Excerpt from Sai Rapture: "The Awakening Flower"
    • Bangaru ~ Sai Students
    • Kendra's 1993 Interviews
  • Guestbook
  • Sai Rapture book
  • OM SAI RAM ~ 108 Bhakti Kisses
    • 108 Bhakti Kisses included in Central Brevard Library
    • Sai Rapture Now Available At Sathya Sai Book Center
    • Please visit my Ecstatic Art & Poetry page on facebook
    • Please visit Goodreads.com to review and rate this book
    • 108 Bhakti Kisses Testimonials & Reviews
  • ONLINE POETRY READINGS
  • NEW BOOK: Saraswati Lotus Pearls
    • Saraswati Lotus Pearls Poetry Reading
  • Dharma Press Publications
  • 108 Bhakti Kisses Book
  • 108 Bhakti Kisses ~ A Garland of Poems
  • As Close To Heaven As It Gets
    • Star of Saraswati Art Gallery >
      • Lord Vishnu and Our Lady of the Cosmos
      • The Passion of Hanuman
      • Sai Mohini
      • Artsy Movie
      • ECSTATIC ART MOVIE
      • Lord of the Universe Painting
      • Swami in our puja room
      • Art Slideshow
    • Grand World pilgrimage 2012
    • Grand World Pilgrimage videos
    • Gem of the Jemez
    • Omming Birds
  • Sai Rapture on Amazon
    • Sri Purushotammananda >
      • 108 Bhakti Kisses was added to Library of Congress collection
  • LORD OF THE UNIVERSE MOVIE AND PAINTING
  • Sai Rapture- Happy to announce
  • Sai Rapture on Barnes & Noble
  • Sai Baba Talk at Melbourne Spiritualist Chapel 10/11/15
    • Lovely Leela , Guru Poornima 2016
  • The Mystic Hour
    • Soham Meditation
    • Universal Love Meditation
    • Sai Oracle: dreams, leelas, miracles, guidance >
      • Sai Baba's Name Heard in Superbowl 2014 Coke commercial
      • Sai Oracle: dreams, leelas, miracles, guidance and instruction
      • Sai Silhouette
      • Vibhuti footprints all over my heart
      • Sai Baba Dream, March 9, 2012
      • Heavenly Sai dream, 10/26/12
      • Goddess of the Rainbow
      • Sai Baba Dream, 12/22/2012
      • Be Good, Do Good, See Good
      • Divine Sai Dream, 02/10/2013
      • Sai Baba Dream, 4/19/2013
      • Sai Baba Dream, 6/15/2013
      • Shirdi Sai Baba Dream, 9-13-2013
      • Sai Baba Dream 10-7-2013
      • Celestial dream 11-4-2013
      • Heavenly Sai Dream, 11-30-2013
      • Sun of Suns dream - 12/8/2013
      • California Sai Rush >
        • jjesus Dream 4/1/2014
        • Santa Barbara and Lake Shrine, Ca., April 2014
        • Sai At Tustin, California, April 2014
        • The Om heard at Lake Shrine, CA
      • See God in Everything, Sai dream, 1-5-14
      • How to remember your dreams
      • Incredible Sai Baba Dream, 02/03/14
      • Very Strange dream with Sai Baba, 2/13/2014
      • Swami Dream 02-26-14
      • Sai Dream, 4/21/2014
      • Ganesha Dream, 5/1/14
      • The Mysterious Cat
      • Sai Eyes Dream & Leela, 5/20/2014
      • Shiva dream and vision 6/14/2014
      • Om...Beautiful Baba dream, 7/9/2014
      • Kool dream, 7-24--14
      • Amazing Sai spiritual experience 8/28/14
      • Mystical Prayer Leela 9/2/14
      • Divine Meditation, 10/02/2014
      • Cosmic Dive Dream, 10/24/14
      • We Gather the Glory!
      • Kundalini rising
      • sai bus driver
      • baby hercules
      • Sai Greenbay packer
      • Angels in the mist
      • The Moon Goddess Diana Dream
      • "I am going to turn on your Soul!' - Dream
      • Jai Baba Sai Baba dream, 02/11/2015
      • Sea God Dream, 03/01/2015
      • Vibhuti dream 03-10-15
      • Sai Surya Meditations
      • Holy Hand of Sai Meditation, 12/26/15
      • PRESENT MOMENT BLISS
      • Where my Devotees are Gathered There I Am
      • Transcending the Scene
      • Sai Darshan Dream, 04/27/15
      • Swami Please come, 05/15/2015
      • Sai Peacenik Leela
      • Chasing Swami Dream 06/20/15
      • Patty The Vet Matters
      • The Mysterious Double Astral Body
      • Ocean of Milk Lord Sai
      • Hari Om
      • THE CELESTIAL OCEAN
      • Krishna Madhava
      • Val Anderson ~ Swami's Beautiful Leela
      • Love One Another As I Have Loved You
      • Sathya Sai Baba Avatar Declaration Day
      • The Holy Spirit
      • Divine Swami Dream, 01/24/16
      • Nectarine Swami Dream, 11/26/2016
      • Sri Durga Devi Hears our Prayers
      • The Lord's Name is sweeter than His Form
      • You become Baby One With Me
      • Sairam
      • Sathya Sai Baba Darshan dream, 8/21/2016
    • I Am Sai Meditation
    • Courting the Presence of Sathya Sai Baba Meditation
    • Courting the Presence of Sai Avatar Part 2
    • Courting the Presence of Sai Avatar Part 3
  • Ethereal Gardens
    • Sonya ki Poems
    • Sonya Ki Poetry Video ~ Lou
    • Ecstatic Love Poems By Sonya Ki
    • Ecstatic God Poems By Sonya Ki
    • Heart Kiss ~ Ecstatic Poetry recording
    • Lotus Nectar ~ Audio/Visual Poetry recording
    • PURCHASE ORIGINAL ART WORK
    • Mirabai Poems
    • Spirit of Kabir
    • Rumi Ruminations
    • A New Year's Prayer
    • The Mystical Poems of St. John of the Cross
  • Divine Mother Sai
  • Sai Temple of Healing, Spiritual Knowledge & Instruction
    • Yoga Mat
    • Chakra Bath
    • Sai Health Tips
    • A Surpise Law of Healing
    • Manna: Man does not live by bread alone
    • God Speaks in Mysterious Ways
    • Shiva Shakti
    • Healing Light Dream and Reflexology >
      • Reflexology
    • Love is the way to God
    • THE EVERLASTING LIGHT
    • Sai Baba's Miracle cure - Ron Mead
    • Raising your vibrations >
      • The Placebo Effect
      • Deathbed Visions By Beverly McLean
    • Sweet Speech
    • MANDALA >
      • God creating with universe with Om cartoon (taken from internet)
      • SSE- Power of the mantra
      • SSE Rules
      • Heavenly Sai Prayer
    • Weight loss - If Lou can do it we can do it >
      • Confessions of a Couch Potato
    • How Does One Reconnect to Swami Within - Talk by Dr. Srikanth Sola
    • Whole Life Support
    • David's Leela Birthday, 8/16/2016
  • Compassionate Communication
    • Compassionate Communication #2
    • Compassionate Communication #3
    • Compassionate Communication #4
    • Compassionate Communication #5
    • Compassionate Communication #6
    • Compassionate Communication #7: The Jack and Geraldine Show
    • ComPassionate Communication #8: Jack & Geraldine: The 4 Choices
    • How to Save your Marriage- a Compassionate Communication Special
    • The Power of Recognizing our Needs
    • What is Empathy Anyway?
    • Pay It Forward
  • ANTI-AMA AYURVEDIC WISDOM
  • Chapel of Love & Music
    • Chapel of Love and Music
    • Swami singing Kodanda Rama
    • My Too Sweet Lord
    • Sai Mata Pita
    • Ganesha Sharanam
    • Be Still My Soul
    • My Eyes are forever seeing Your form
    • Joyful Joyful we adore Thee
    • My Prayer
    • Daya Sudha
    • Let our hearts reflect your love Lord duet- Sonya ki & David
    • Sai Unchained melody (Cover)
    • AKHANDA JYOTI JALAO
    • Come Sai Lord Incarnate~Happy Birthday!
    • Madhusudana
    • HOW GREAT THOU ART
    • All Hail The Power Of Sai Baba's Name
    • MY EYES ARE FOREVER SEEING YOUR FORM VIDEO
    • I Offer myself to Thee
    • Swami You send me
    • Blackbird rising
    • I will follow Sai - audio
    • I will follow Sai
    • MY SAI AMOUR
    • My Sai Amour Audio
    • Love is My Form
    • Love is My Form ~ Part 2
    • GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD
    • Jaya Jagadeesha Hare
    • O Beautiful!
    • Prem Amritha
    • Hanuman Chant
    • JAYA JAYA JAYA AMBE
    • Without Singing to the Lord
    • Ceiling on Desires Bhajan by Renu Gidoomal
    • Prayer of a Sai Child
    • Down Blue Jay Way
    • Sai Mata Pita
    • Sai Ram Murari
    • Will you Love the Poor*
    • Sai Natha
    • Om Jai Jai Guru
    • Karunanta Ranga
    • Somewhere Beyond Samsara >
      • Sri Durga Devi
      • Narayan Narayan
      • Zuni Sunrise *
  • About me
  • Heavenly sai prayer 2
  • Sing, Sing for Swami dream 06/06/15
  • mala
  • Art for the Soul
  • Untitled
  • Colombe Kendra
  • Grace of the Lord
  • ADHIKA BASHINCHU
  • Divine Messenger
  • Why fear When I Am Here
  • I Surrender to you Baba
  • THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND, THIS LAND IS MY LAND
  • Blood Brothers
  • The Door to Heaven, Vaikunta Dwara
  • This is my Father's world
  • TALKING WIND DREAM
  • Golden Bangaroo
  • Om Sri Sathya Sai Baba
  • SAI IS THE BLISS OF DIVINITY
  • A flower from my lips to Yours, Sai
  • Ocean Goddess
  • Sai North Carolina Region 3 Retreat Reflections
  • Blessings from the Heart of Sai Dream
  • Green Pastures
  • I Am God
    • "I Am from you" Sai Dream
  • A Song for you
  • Krishna's Celestial Flute
  • Heart Lotus
  • Starship God Dream, 9/25/2017
  • Sathya Sai Baba White lotus dream, 10/04/2017
  • Sai Collage
  • Sai Darshan Dream, 11/07/17
  • Sai Divine Love Dream, 12/26/2017
  • GOLDEN AGE OF SAI
  • SWAMI AND AYURVEDA
  • Lovely Sai Leela, 4/17/2018
  • Sai, Center of Unbroken Praise
  • Golden Sai Dream
  • The Power of God
  • Swami Dream, 02-05-2018
  • Sweet Swami Dream, 03/14/2018
  • Sai Ram
  • Celestial Portal
  • Candlight in the Grotto
  • Sathya Sai Baba's Celestial Throne
  • Swami Jhoola Dream, 6/6/18
  • Omnipresent Sai
  • Art Gallery
  • Sai Golden Lights
  • Sai Deus
  • Sai Portal
  • Happy Sai New Year
  • Golden Sai Ganesha
  • Sai Nectar
  • Happy Sai Ram Navami 2019
  • Sai Luminary
  • The Sai Element
  • Sai Chariot, 02/09/20
  • Jagan Mati Shakti Durge
  • Sai! Our Beloved Avatar
  • Sai Temple Text - Good Company
  • Sai Temple Text - Human Life is Sacred
  • Sai Temple Text - The Divine Presence
  • Sai Days
  • Glories Of Our Jesus Christ
  • Sai Temple Text - Good Character Blossoms
  • Baba's Devotees Love Him So Enduring
  • Temple Text - The Eternal Path
  • One
  • Sai Temple Text - Serving Hearts
  • Sai Bilva Leaf Leela
  • Sai Temple Text-Golden Smart Choices
  • Sai Temple Text - "Who is your true friend?"
  • Sai Temple Text- The Purpose of Life
  • Sai Temple Text ~ God's Golden Presence
  • Sai Temple Text - Temple of the Mind
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  KENDRA’S 1993 INTERVIEWS

My daughter, Kendra Hoffman, started attending Bhajans and center meetings with me. I had introduced my daughter to Sai Baba's teachings in 1991. Soon thereafter, she began having dreams with Swami and became deeply attached to Him. She joined the young adults wing of the Sai Center and participated in the service activities. Her longing to physically experience the presence of Sai Baba culminated in a trip to the Ashram in summer 1993 with an ardent devotee, Hal Honig and his young adults group.

Kendra was very excited about her first trip overseas, so there was a mixture of anticipation and apprehension. She told me that she cried during the flight, wishing I was with her. My daughter and I are very close; since I had her so young at age 22, we were more like sisters. We shopped together, went to shows, etc. Usually when you saw her, you saw me. Her journey to Sai Avatar was spectacular! The
group received two interviews, and for Kendra's first trip that was pretty mind-blowing! Kendra described the interviews in detail.

First Interview


“Baba came out graciously. He looked in our direction. He stopped to take letters from some of the people. I watched as He walked over to the men in our group and told them to go! I couldn't believe it! We all got up very quickly and walked through those beautiful gates. It looked like heaven on earth. We had to leave our bags behind, clutching only our letters. I felt apprehensive about leaving my passport, but then I realized WHO I was with and just let all of my fears go.

“One by one we all came in through the gates and sat down, women and men crying hysterically. I was in complete shock, and I don't know why, but I didn't cry until after the whole event was over. We all sat on a bench in front of an exquisite garden, birds and ants all around, flowers trees, and the smell of jasmine. I tried to control my heart from beating fast. We waited silently for Darshan to be over. That is when He would take us in. Slowly Baba walked towards us and went in the direction of the interview house. We filed into the house in one line. As we proceeded to sit down on the floor, Baba said, 'Sit... sit,' 'Move... move' so that He could pass. He spoke to some women who were sobbing and said: 'Don't cry' and then tapped them on the back. Afterwards, He sat in his chair. We looked at him filled with awe.

“We weren't the only ones in the room. There were other small groups of people in the room with us. He asked several people in our group as well as the others questions like: 'How are you?' 'Are you in school?' 'How's the wife?' 'What is education?' 'Happiness is union with God.' 'What is EHV?' 'What is the purpose of education?' Swami went on to emphasize that He is our true friend. No one is our true friend in this world except Him, and then He looked at me.
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } “Someone showed Swami a sketch of a house they were having built on a street called Blueberry Hill, and asked Swami to sign it. Baba signed it and started singing, 'I found my thrill...' in the same melody as the rock and roll song: I found my thrill on blueberry hill. Everyone laughed hilariously.

“Meanwhile, Sai Baba materialized a watch for someone, a bracelet for young man named Armond which had an Om on it, and a diamond ring for another young man named Bob which appeared to not fit too well. Then, He put the ring on Bob. He inquired if someone was jealous. Swami said, 'Oh jealousy is not a good quality, very jealous girl.' I didn't know who he was speaking to. Everyone laughed. I was in a complete daze as if in a dream. I had to monitor my thoughts constantly. After some time, we all moved into the inner interview room. There were 28 of us; we could barely fit into that small room.

“Swami asked several people, 'What do you want?' Baba is so sweet yet strict. Because He is God, I didn't think He would behave in such a free flowing manner. He is so calm, warm and yet stern.

Father Sai looked at two young men inquiring if they were in school. They replied, 'Yes.' Baba told Gurdaf, one of the young men, that he had a monkey mind and that he was taking monkey subjects. He also asked him if he had a girlfriend. And further questioned, “Why so many girlfriends?” at the same time gently tapping Gurdaf and Armond on their faces. He asked Armond, 'Where is your girlfriend?' Looking serious, He said in a commanding voice, 'Girlfriend no good; if you like marry, no problem.'”

Then He looked at me and said:

Swami: Are you a student?
Kendra: (Nodding my head yes.)
Swami: What subject?
Kendra: Art (Before I could elaborate that I was studying to be an art teacher, Swami made a comment.) Swami: Monkey mind, monkey subject!
Swami: Where is your mother?
Kendra: At home. (Swami looked away for a moment.) When I reflected later, I really wished I had said: 'YOU are my mother Swami.' I had my hands out of sight behind my knee because it was so crowded. Swami: Did I give you that ring?
Kendra: No. (I was astonished because my mother had given me this ring with Baba's face embossed upon it earlier. It was from a batch of items she had gotten blessed by Baba in her previous trip.)
Swami: Do you have husband?
Kendra: No Swami.
Swami: No husband, boyfriend, right!
Kendra: Shaking head yes.
Swami: Not good! Western culture not good. (Looking around at everyone.)

If you like, get married. (Speaking generally.) Here Swami was commenting on the way people live together in our Western culture without getting married.

“After this some other people went into the inner interview room with Swami. When Swami returned, He fixed the ring He'd materialized for Bob because it was too loose. He took the ring and blew on it 3 times and it shrunk to fit the size of his finger. Everyone laughed merrily and stared in awe. Then Swami announced He was going to give each of us a personal interview. Before concluding the interview, He distributed vibhuti to some of the men and women. I and two others did not get any vibhuti. At first I felt sad and left out, but then I realized it was for a good reason. Later, Hal Honig told us that when Swami gives out vibhuti packets, it usually means He won't see those receiving the packets again. So, I thought maybe I would see Him again. I was so sleepy after the interview I could barely keep my eyes open. When we got back to our room, I slept for a few hours in unconscious bliss.”


Second Interview

“We did see Swami again. Surprisingly, He called us in for a second interview. Baba accepted my letter which asked Him how to control my anger, how to see God in all people, and why is there fear of death if you know you are the Atma. He didn't speak to me directly, but He answered all of my questions.

“He said to all of us, 'Don't think of the body as yourself or a person as he, she, man, lady, etc. Think of every person as God including yourself.' During the interview it was hard to really believe I was God. I guess I was caught up in ego. He somehow indirectly let me and everyone know that the only way we can serve Him is to 'Love All and Serve All.' Swami continued, 'Don't think about yourself all the time, think about everyone as God.' He stated, 'You are dark and you are dark, you are light and you are light. All are the same.' When He said this, the room suddenly went dark, then it became light again as if to emphasize His point. Again, the light dimmed, the room was dark briefly, after which the light came on again. In the dark we could see a glow of light all around Swami. People gasped and cooed, — 'Ah-h-h.' Swami talked about the mind and explained how the mind could be likened to a piece of cloth. He demonstrated this by holding up His handkerchief. He went on to explain that in order to get rid of the mind and its desires you have to pull each thread representing desires out of the cloth until there was nothing left and no mind.

“Baba taught me to not be so focused on myself. He inspired me to be more compassionate and caring towards other people. He demonstrated this by having a handicapped person in our group. I realized I am not the only one in the world with problems. After the interview we discovered there wasn't a power outage in the room it was HIS Power dimming the lights on and off!”

-Kendra Nicole Hoffman

SOURCE: SAI RAPTURE, THE ECSTATIC JOURNEY OF A MODERN DAY GOPI
BY SONYA KI TOMLINSON


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