Whisper in the Heart: The Ongoing Presence of Neem Karoli Baba (Ram Dass, Maharajji, Hindu Spirituality)

Paul wrote in His letter to the Romans that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." At the time he wrote that verse, no "Bible" existed, so that wasn't the "word" about which he wrote. Instead, he referred to the verbal and written testimony of those experiencing Christ-transformation. The believers in Jesus' Christhood traveled, testified, and penned their individual Christ experiences and exchanged letters between their home churches (satsangs) - the "word" or testimony of God in their personal lives. Some scholars say those letters numbered in the thousands. As each group heard what Jesus was doing elsewhere, before and after His ascension, their faith was encouraged. Faith, the muscle of belief - love in practice, is much easier to gain when we see others successfully exercising it. In fact, it's contagious. Meher Baba said, "Love is self-communicative: Those who do not have it catch it from those who have it." I believe God continually provides humanity with a fully realized Christ, in body, walking this planet. After such a being leaves their body (mahasamadhi), their influence continues to grow, and then God sends another who builds on the spiritual foundations previously laid. My present faith, found through hearing His devotees' words, tells me Neem Karoli Baba is a true Son of God, "Laxman-Christ," provided for you and me in this day and age. Although He left His body nearly fifty years ago, the stories in this book show He is more active now than ever. If you are a soul desiring to grow in devotion to Maharaj-ji, "Whisper In The Heart" is a work that will build your faith tremendously. No matter your background or personality type, there's a story in this book that will resonate with you right where you are in your spiritual journey. Likely you'll love them all as each one is soaked in agape! One of the characteristics I sincerely appreciate about this compilation is the organization of stories by what method Maharaj-ji used to communicate. To some, Baba spoke through dreams. To others through books or a photo. Many met Him through Ram Dass, on a yatra (spiritual pilgrimage), or through psychedelics. To a few, He appeared in person. These stories, as a whole, show how Maharaj-ji comes to each soul in a way that resonates with them individually and permanently. Moreover, this book reinforces my sentiment that Baba speaks to us in every moment and every way. Each and every testimony given by His devotees in these pages demonstrates that our lives are a continual master class in love and grace. After reading it, I was once again encouraged to look for Maharaj-ji in all hearts, for that's where He resides today. I was especially touched by Zach Leary's story, the son of famous LSD evangelist and counter-culture icon Timothy Leary. It shows how we're all part of Maharaj-ji's plans, even across multiple generations. What might look like a spiritual "train wreck" today, Maharaj-ji will use to enrich and bless us tomorrow and in the ages to come. Baba's family is much larger than any of us can imagine, and His intricate working more profound than can be comprehended. Additionally, the organization of this book makes it a perfect devotional guide. It contains more than one hundred and fifty short stories about Baba Neem Karoli's ongoing plan to bring this planet into full Christ-consciousness one soul at a time - including yours! Read one testimony each day for six months and find yourself enriched, encouraged, and more in love with your Guru than ever! It gets my highest recommendation and will definitely be re-read in our home - 10/10. Buy it without hesitation, and be blessed! In Christ with you! Ram Ram! JC

I never really considered Neem Karoli Baba my guru. I have mostly followed Ram Dass’ teachings but was hesitant to open completely to accepting Maharaji- it always seemed a bit too much, maybe too much like the Catholicism I left behind years ago. Faith has been hard. Additionally, I think there was a bit of regret as well, spiritual FOMO as Pete Holmes calls it. These other guys were so lucky to experience Maharaji’s love in person- I thought all I could have is blind faith again, just as before. This book opened my eyes and opened my heart. Through reading the experiences of others, I came to realize Maharaji’s presence in my own life. He’s been there this whole time- through life, love, loss, pain, the good times and bad, even a brush with death. So many unexplained synchronicities… Everything makes sense now, I see it. As Ram Dass used to say, Imagine thinking you were the captain of the ship the whole time and now realizing you were just along for the ride…. Thats where I find myself at the end of this book. Absolutely amazing.

A book written by bhaktis (those who follow the path of devotion), about bhaktis, and for bhaktis. I tried to be one of them, but Maharajji would not accept me. In fact, he seemed to ignore me during the months I hung out with him in India. The last time I saw him in Vrindavan he served me scalding hot chai dripping all over me from a leaky cup. Yet, he insisted I continue drinking until I was soaked with the sticky liquid. Later he picked up a rock and moved is if to throw it at me, chasing me away from the ashram. I got the message, "Find the guru within yourself." So, I meditated on the I AM, the eternal Presence that animates us all. Fifty years later on my birthday in Mount Shasta, Mahrajji came to me in a dream and gave me a hug. He said, "So, you finally got it!"

Ram Dass caught me in 1986, and Maharajji most likely well before that. Suffice to say, I am snuggled "Under the Blanket". Whisper in the Heart is an absolutely beautifully woven tapestry of Love stories to Baba. The greatest gift this book offers is the knowing, in a reader's heart, that they are not alone. No matter how miraculous or mundane your Baba story is, it is meant to be shared. If the reader is drawn to this book for some unexplained reason, order it!!! It's meant to be. I suspect great openings will happen from the publication of this treasure of a book. I hope the first is a "Whisper in the Heart" podcast to keep the thousands upon thousands of darshan stories flowing. There are new ones every single day. Ram Ram PS. I love you Parvati Marcus for creating this juicy book!! Thank you guru sister!

Whisper In The Heart is a beautiful collection of testimonials that depicts the on-going and eternal presence of Neem Karoli Baba. Parvati Markus magically weaves these vignettes together like the very thread of Maharajji’s blanket. Her forwards to each section also pointedly frame the compassion and wonder therein and affirm her place as Maharajji’s “private secretary.” The stories themselves are uniquely extraordinary and unified by the miraculous truth of Neem Karoli Baba’s unconditional love. This book dares us all to love everyone and tell the truth—to find the Maharajji that lives inside all of our hearts.

The stories seem so real even though I wasn’t there but feel as if I was with babaji at the scene. Brings emotions out opens your heart. Life changing book!

A beautiful collection of carefully curated stories about encounters with Neem Karoli Baba - after his mahasamadhi. Not every story might speak to all readers in the same way (for me personally, the dream-related ones felt the least relatable), but overall, if you already have a connection to the Maharaji / Ram Dass and co, this will be a precious companion volume.

I have not even finish this book, and I have already bought a copy for someone else. It is an incredible book that will have you, smiling, laughing, and crying all the same time I feel plain happy when I read it. Definitely makes me feel closer to Maharaji.

This book is amazing, felt the presence of Neem Karoli Baba as I was reading it, Parvati Markus is an amazing writer, I highly recommend.

I believe this book is a testimony to the power of god to protect and nourish the souls of this world

Awesome.

Conheci o Neem Karoli Baba pelo Kristina Das e seu livro Cantar para viver, e resolvi ler esse livro para poder conhecer como as pessoas o conheceram, é incrivel pensar que ele vive em energia e sempre nos ajuda. Namaste !!!

Always have the book within reach.