In August 2006, a close friend of mine who is a student of Datta’s, asked if I would like to go with her to India for the Navaratri Trip with him which happened to fall on both of our birthdays in September. I said, “Of course, I would LOVE to go, but it’s next month and I do not have the money for that! Sure, it’s a dream come true, but there’s no way.”

I had seen Dattatreya Siva Baba speak several times and been inspired and delighted each time. I felt I was meant to hear him and be around him. I had no idea what a guru really was, but I knew that every time I was around him, I felt energized and I felt he was speaking truths that I have always known deep inside my true self. I knew he was a teacher for me and I knew I needed to go to India.

She invited me to practice the manifestation mantras that Datta had given us and she gave me her Laksmi Yantra. For many days I meditated and I could picture myself there in India with the lovely students I had already met, but each time I saw the image, there was a voice saying: “But how? There’s no way!” I told my friend this and she reminded me that when we are manifesting it is not our job to figure out “how”. We cannot explain why miracles happen, that is why they are miracles and we don’t orchestrate them.

I went back to meditating and completely let go of “how” it could or would happen. I saw myself in India, I felt the joy and fun I would have and at the end of my meditations I would say: “If this is for my highest good, so be it” and completely let it go. Thy will be done!

The next day someone called me and said that they would love to gift me this trip to India and pay for the entire thing! It was a magical day! It was a magical trip! It blew my mind! Why me? Well, why not?

I know today how blessed I am. I am certain I was meant to go. I had a transformational experience and I am forever grateful for all the miracles I experience each day!

Thank you, Datta!