Who Is Nandini?

In May 2001 Nandini experienced a spiritual awakening which was brought about through the grace of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. Since then she has run retreats and held regular satsangs in her home for those interested in sharing her experience of non-duality.Those who hear Nandini are struck by the clarity which enters her when she is speaking from 'Source' as well as by her authenticity and lack of pretension. Her words are an encouragement for us all to return to 'what we already are' and to dispense with concepts. To meet Nandini is to connect with Self and to remove the barriers placed by our minds.

Nandini's father was an unusual Gloucestershire clergyman, born in India , with a deep interest in esoteric matters. She was brought up as a vegetarian and was introduced to religious personalities of all creeds and races from an early age.In 1954, at the age of seven, she met Swami Veda Bharati who was to initiate her into the Himalayan Tradition of Yoga Meditation and give her the name Nandini at his ashram in Rishikesh some forty years later. Married to Godfrey since 1970, Nandini has raised two sons and she became a grandmother in September 2002. In the 1980s we lived as a family in India where Nandini became interested in Buddhism and the Dzogchen (Advaita) teachings of Namkhai Norbu in particular. Subsequently, she read Be As You Are (The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi) edited by David Godman and she knew that she had discovered Truth.

Under the stage name 'Dalia' she worked for many years as a creative and performing artist in the fields of music, dance and art. She is an exponent not only of Russian ballet but also of the Indian classical dance forms of Bharata Natyam and Kathak. She has painted many intuitive mandalas based on the inspiration she has drawn from her experience of Advaita and she frequently includes mandala painting in her retreats. She has recently written a personal account of her spiritual journey entitled 'Fire in My Heart' which is set to be published later this year. Nandini challenges our thoughts and beliefs but she does it from the heart rather than the mind. Whilst Nandini has led a rich and varied life, her decision to give satsang comes from her unique experience of non- duality and a sincere desire to honour and serve Bhagavan in this way.

I have known Nandini for over thirty-five years and I recognise the Truth which has manifested itself in her since May 2001. Together, we have enjoyed two inspirational pilgrimages to Sri Ramanasramam in Tamil Nadu. I see in her every day the joy of having found her Self.

Godfrey Bishop