Swamiji met his Guru Swami Muktananda Paramahamsa on December 23, 1974 and received diksha on that day. Swamiji went into a deep state of Samadi and was in a state of divine intoxication for days to follow.

During this period of Swamiji’s sadhana, he was a practicing forensic psychologist and would fly on the weekends around the United States to "Be With Baba." The tapasya was intense (i.e. the spiritual heat from being around a True Guru); but the spiritual gains were more than worth it.

On the Thursday (Guru day of the week) before the celebration of Easter in 1975, Baba Muktananda gave Swamiji the spiritual name Ananta (meaning infinity) and told him to teach Siddha Yoga. This he did with the same intensity he pursued everything he loves deeply.

One world tour for Baba Muktananda came and went and came again. Swamiji would visit his Beloved Guru on many occasions staying in his various Ashrams that would spontaneously spring up. During these stays, Savikalpa Samadi melted into Nirvikalpa Samadi.

Baba Muktananda took Mahasamadi in the early 1980s. Swamiji, not yet a sanyasa, continued to meditate and do sadhana as his Guru instructed. He read many spiritual texts and continued to experience the bliss of consciousness as his sadhana continued.

In 1997, Swamiji met his teacher Swami Ramananda Sivadass Babaji who instructed him in the ways of Sanyasa and greatly furthered his understanding of Santana Dharma. On October 12, 1998 Swami Ramananda officiated at a traditional sanyasa consecration ceremony at the Hindu Temple Society of Southern California’s Siva Temple with the Savite Head Priest Sita Ram and Ananta emerged a Swami in the name of Swami Swarupananda Sivadass Giri.

Swamiji continued his study with Swami Ramananda. Swarupananda eventually became stabilized in Sahaj Samadi and remains at the feet of his Beloved Guru Swami Muktananda Paramahamsa as a Paramahamsa in the Giri tradition.

Swamiji’s respect and admiration for Swami Ramananda Maharaja, who is now a Guru himself, continues to this present day. Although both Swamis’ style is different, there are many paths to self-realization. Like Swami Muktandanda’s close relationship with Anandamayi Ma, Swami Swarupananda remains close with Swami Ramananda Maharaja.