My younger brother, Siva Kiekens, followed the International Yoga and Meditation Course in January and February 1970 under the guidance of Swami Krishnanandaji. Coming back to Belgium he was full of Swamiji and of his teachings. So I was looking forward to have Darshan of Swamiji too.

In August 1973 I could visit Gurudev's Ashram for the first time. I saw Swami Krishnanandaji the first evening of my stay in the night Satsanga. But Swamiji got an asthmatic fit shortly after he arrived and had to be taken to his quarters. So that first time I had not the privilege of hearing one of his unparalleled lectures. Just before returning to Belgium, at the end of the month, I could briefly visit Swamiji in his house somewhere on top of the hill.

During later visits I had the good fortune to see Swamiji in a better state of health. During one of his daily Darshans, some two years ago, I heard somebody inquire after Swamiji's condition. Swamiji said: "Bad is better than worse." So he even doesn't want to complain though he is a person that suffered all his life, as he himself said. Every time I met Swamiji he was cheerful, having an attentive ear for all, taking care of the affairs of the Ashram, enlightening people coming for his Darshan etc. Gita says: "The grace of that Being makes the dumb eloquent and the criple climbing mountains." Sick we can only be physically and mentally, but what we really are is beyond sickness and pain. That is what I heard Swamiji saying in his lectures, what I read in his books, what I see in his life.

In 1962 we associated with Gurudev Swami Sivanandaji. We found his name in the bibliography of a book. We wrote a letter to "Swami Sivananda, India" and got a quick reply, that changed our life completely. It brought us to India and made us the family of Swami Chidanandaji, Swami Krishnanandaji and so many other wonderful souls.

We will celebrate Swamiji's birthday in the Swami Sivananda Ashram of Aalst, Belgium. We pray whole-heartedly to Bhagavan and Sri Gurudev to keep Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj among us for many years to come. His life is a blessing and an inspiration for so many.