Category: Chapter 2

The first public programme in Sydney was in Darlinghurst, at the Macabbean Hall on the 25th March, 1981, in the middle of the worst area in the whole of Australia. It was two streets from where I lived, and I was convinced by a friend to come and see Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi. Shri Mataji…

My first memory of Shri Mataji was a public programme in Melbourne in April 1981. I went expecting to hear a lecture on yoga postures. There was a sense of high expectation in the hall, then suddenly a deep silence fell. No-one had announced anything. We were all waiting, looking at the table with the…

In 1981, Shri Mataji’s first trip to Australia, we went on a shopping expedition and Shri Mataji wanted to buy Sir CP a dinner set. So we took Her to the old Grace Brothers store in Sydney. As we went into the china department, who was there to serve us, but a lady who had…

Katy, do you remember anything from the first time you saw Mother in 1981, when you were only nine years old? Lyndal Vercoe

When Shri Mataji made Her first visit to Sydney, Her press conference was held at the Wentworth Hotel. My husband Ian Henke was sent to cover it because someone was unwell at the small newspaper office where he helped out occasionally. A friend, Brian Bell had asked him to attend. We knew Brian from the…

The next day, Saturday afternoon, I go to Burwood ashram at my friend’s invitation. We sit in the small meditation room with about twenty others, and Shri Mataji comes in. She begins to speak and someone tells Her there are two new people in the room. She asks us to go up to Her; asks…

It is the first week of April 1981 in Sydney, Australia, and I am sitting in the small Maccabbean Hall awaiting the arrival of Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi at Her last public programme. I have felt blissful when looking at pictures of Shri Mataji sent to me interstate by a friend, and she had inexplicably…

The next day is Sunday and new people who were at the Friday night Maccabbean Hall programme come to Burwood, at Shri Mataji’s invitation, to meet Her. About two dozen people come. She invites us to wash Her Feet. I hang back while others go before me; I am scared of doing the wrong thing…

When Shri Mataji first came to Sydney we all went to Taronga Zoo with Her. It is near the harbour and there are winding paths and a lot of people go there. It is a beautiful spot. There was a nice open area to sit down, and Shri Mataji took Her shoes off and sat…

A few weeks after my realisation in 1980 I went to see a certain friend, because of all my friends I thought she was the deepest seeker. I spoke for a while but didn’t mention Shri Mataji. ‘Ever since you walked in I’ve been feeling this cool wind all around me,’ she said. So I…