Papaji drew the cover
Some twenty-five years ago John David went to Papaji’s house to ask his blessing for a book idea. Many years later that book was published as Papaji – Amazing Grace.
He remembers sitting together on a bench in a little hallway. Suddenly Papaji took a piece of paper and started drawing out a book cover: “Day by Day with Papaji”, and he wrote John David on the bottom.
Shocked, it became clear that he wanted John David to make this book about him. The original Day by Day was with Ramana Maharshi. Now is finally the time to realise this project.
— John David
If you are acting like a sheep, do not blame the shepherd. You cannot herd lions. Wake up and roar and you are free.
Who was Papaji?
Papaji, also known as Poonjaji (Hariwansh Lal Poonja), awakened after meeting his master Sri Ramana Maharshi at the holy mountain Arunachala. He spent the rest of his life transmitting this energy of Self-realisation.
In later years he settled in Lucknow, and during the 1990s he became a magnet especially for Western spiritual seekers. Many of these seekers awakened with Papaji and were sent out as messengers — Papaji Ambassadors. This initiated a satsang movement in the Western world and helped spread the teachings of Non-Duality. Papaji passed away in 1997.
Papaji is often classified as an Advaita Vedanta teacher in the lineage of Sri Ramana Maharshi. Yet he himself said that he had no particular teachings. His most common advice was: “Keep quiet.” His most profound teachings often arose in simple everyday life situations. Many students have described his presence as a penetrating force.
The Day by Day project
In cooperation with Open Sky Press, John David is compiling the most captivating Papaji stories. He has previously collected many awakening experiences with Papaji students in Papaji – Amazing Grace and Meetings with Remarkable People. Day by Day continues that work — a book and film gathering gratitude, anecdotes, letters, and photographs.
If you met Papaji, or know people who did, you are warmly invited to contribute. Once you contact us, we will arrange a Zoom meeting. In addition to stories, handwritten letters by Papaji and interesting photographs are gratefully received.
Interviews already gathered
Many people came to see Papaji. Here we collect their stories about their experiences with the Lion of Lucknow.
- Sunita Visited Papaji in Lucknow in 1993/1996. She currently lives in Bali and develops her painting.
- Aruna Visited Papaji in 1993 where she finally found a quiet mind and the end of suffering. Now she lives in Japan, sharing satsang in groups and online.
- Satyaa and Pari Met in Papaji’s presence in Lucknow. Together they share their love through music and satsang, living between Munich and Greece.
- Vasant Swaha Spent many years as a personal guard for Osho, later met Papaji and deepened his own awakening. Splits time between Norway and Brazil.
- Ruth Rich Stayed with Papaji in Lucknow the last eight months before he left his body in September 1997 — captivating and honest stories of those final days.
- Prabhavati Founder of Ramana’s Garden orphanage. After years with Osho she met Papaji and tells the story of her remarkable first meeting with Lucknow’s great Lion.
- Pankaj Ran a garment shop between Satsang Bhavan and Papaji’s house. Papaji often visited — and miraculous things happened.
- Joyce Met Papaji in her mid to late twenties; lived three years in Lucknow. Now a professional film editor in the US.