Having been born March 22, 1948, Swamiji’s childhood was one of religious fervor. As a child, he would put on religious pageants and celebrate endless communion services in his parent’s basement. Although his parents thought him very strange, they allowed this activity because he was safe and not bothering them.

As a teenager, he learned to meditate through reading various books on Raja Yoga, Jana Yoga, and Kundalini Yoga. He would meditate with friends and could often be found in the nearby cemetery meditating near the religious statues.

Although not a good student in High School, he was treated as intellectually gifted by both teachers and students. His command of philosophical studies was amazing. He had completely read all of Nietzsche by the time he was in 12^{th grade.Plato was a great favorite especially the Allegory of the Cave.}

In college, he distinguished himself completing three majors (Psychology, English Literature, and Education) in just three years and graduating to go directly into graduate school in psychology.

In graduate school, he was introduced to his mentor, Dr. Arthur J. Brodbeck, who further taught him meditation, introduced him to the spiritual literature of India, and began his life long love of psychoanalysis. It was during this period that Swamiji met Domine Augustine, and enlightened Trappist Abbot. He’d spend hours in the Abbot’s private garden talking of God and the various paths to realization.

After graduating with distinction with a Master’s degree in Humanistic Existential Psychology, he went on to England and received a Ph.D. in developmental psychology and one in Psychoanalysis. His dedication to meditation never wavered.

On December 23, 1974 he received Diksha from Swami Muktananda Paramahamsa. This began a lifelong love affair with God.

 Swami Swarupananda Sivadass Giri
receives
Paramahamsa Diksha
July 14, 2003