AS A BOY LIVING IN THE HIMALAYAS

As a boy living on the bank of the Ganga in the Himalayas, my beautiful young Preceptor Krishna Sukhanand first taught the practice of nine modes of devotion to prepare for Raja-Kriya Yoga initiation:

Sranava (hearing the Lilas of the Lord);
Kirtan (singing the Lords Name);
Smarana (remembrance of the Lord);
Padasevana (service of the Lord's holy Feet);
Archana (offering of flowers to the Lord);
Vadana (prostrations of surrender to the Guru);
Dasyam (loving service);
Sakhya (friendship of Mahatmas) and
Atmanivedana (Self-surrender)... ❤️

After Raja-Kriya Yoga initiation Krishna taught the following to cultivate Divine Love along with the practice of the seven chapters of the ancient, and sacred Raja-Kriya Yoga meditation techniques:

Every morning say unto the Lord: 'I am Thine, all is Thine, Thy Will be done';
Live on milk and fruits;
Observe Mouna (silence) keeping the tongue in Kechari Mudra;
Meditate with intensity (concentration) morning, noon and evening;
Offer flowers, the waving of lights and incense (Aarti) to the Lord every morning;
Consider your hut on the bank of the Ganga as a temple of the Lord, every single action as service of the Lord, every word that you speak as Japa of the Lord's name, your daily walk along the Ganga as perambulation to the Lord...

Krishna told me with his sweet and soft voice just above a whisper that this practice would transmute one into divinity and would bestow everlasting peace and bliss... 

In that holy environment living with Krishna and other Mahatmas we would arise at 2 am and perform Aarti, meditate together and then alone in a secluded spot for several hours before a breakfast of fruits and milk. I found it easy to remain in Padmasana for 7 to 8 hours after my body weight went from 84 kilos to 53 kilos.

After bathing in the Ganga and a short walk I would meditate again before the late afternoon meal. Evening Arti was performed and meditation again into the evening. I was blessed to live in the company of Self and God-Realized Mahatmas whose presence would invoke natural and spontaneous Asrupat, Romanchana, and Svarabhanga, all Lingas of true devotion and of actual God communion... ❤️