Swami Omkarananda meets the Dalai Lama

(It is not my photo but a photo of a photo taken by Manuel Bauer who has kindly given me permission to share it with you). It flashed up on the cinema screen as I was watching the Dalai Lama’s documentary, the Wisdom of Happiness, a couple of weeks ago.

It was taken about 10 years ago, shortly before the death of Swami Omkarananda (the tiny lady in orange) who was my first yoga teacher when I really needed calmness and structure in my life, and with whom I did my yoga teacher training. She was in a care home at the time the Dalai Lama was in Zurich and she was taken to see him by one of the carers. What a wonderful gift for Swamiji who was overjoyed and overwhelmed to have his blessing. As you can imagine, I was shocked and emotional to see her for those few seconds on the screen! I wrote to the co-director of the film, Barbara Miller, asking if I could have a copy. Thank you Barbara, for taking the time to find this photo for me and putting me in touch with Manuel Bauer.


I am overwhelmed by your appreciation of the Lynx photo from yesterday. It has felt like a Blipbirthday! Thank you one and all!