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The History of Om Tat Sat Institute of Yoga

The Om Tat Sat Institute of Yoga, Inc. was founded by his Holiness SRI SADGURU BABAJI RAMNARINE (BABAJI) in 1965 whislt residing on the Island of Trinidad and Tobago. Subsequently, several years later, a chapter was opened in Caracas, Venezuela. He founded this nonprofit organiztion under the auspicious guidance of his gurus and divine masters, SRI PANDIT RAMNARINE (Param Guru), His Holiness SRI VASUDEVA PRASAD MEHROTRA , BHAGWAN SRI TATWALA BABA MAHAVEER DASS and BHAGWAN SRI SHANKAR GIRI. In 1990, a chapter of the Institute was opened in Orlando Florida, BABAJI's current home.

BABAJI was born on the island of Trinidad on January 12^th, 1935. He is the third of seven boys and belongs to a family of great spiritual lineage. His paternal and maternal grandfathers where the great yogis, Sant Jerrybandan and Harrypaul Maharaj. They emigrated from India to Trinidad bringing with them a wealth of spiritual wisdom. It is their Sadhana (spiritual practice) that has kept Sanathan Dharma (the righteous path of truth) alive from generation to generation in their family, consequently touching the lives of many thousands of people throughout the world.

At the very early age of seven BABAJI began working to help support his family. Even so, he was inclined towards spirituality. In fact, BABAJI's journey into spiritual realization began at the age of nine at the feet of his Diksha Guru, Sri Pandit Ramnarine Baba, who was also BABAJI's maternal uncle.

When BABAJI was twenty three he emigrated to Venezuela where he began receiving divine revelations that lead him unto the feet of the great Himalayan Master SRI TATWALA BABA MAHAVEER DASS, along with other notable masters such as BHAGWAN SRI SHANKAR GIRI, BHAGWAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA, BHAGWAN SRI GANAPATI SARASWATI SACHCHIDANANDA and the great guru of Kashi SRI VASUDEVA PRASAD MEHROTRA.

BABAJI established himself in Venezuela, and traveled regularly to Trinidad his homeland, working selflessly to help people transform their lives towards the goal of a higher spiritual awareness.

In 1970 BABAJI had the blessings to visit India. His journey at the foot hills of the Himalayas let him to the Cave "Bhut Nath Gufa" the abode of BHAGWAN SRI TATWALA BABA MAHAVEER DASS (Himalayan Master). It was here that BABAJI received training by BHAGWAN SRI TATWALA BABA in the many aspects of Raja Yoga, and as per his direct instructions BABAJI returned to the West to share these teachings to the world. It was at this time that BABAJI returned to the Western world with the mission of teaching spirituality to all those who came into his contact. Having spent 36 years in Venezuela, BABAJI was again instructed by his Gurus to go to the United States and continue on the journey of awakening those in search of the truth. Thus in 1990, BABAJI made the move to Orlando in Florida and subsequently established the latest chapter of the Om Tat Sat Institute of Yoga.

BABAJI's life has been devoted towards the Service of Humanity and today, continues to lead his students in the many aspects of Yoga. He has not lost contact with those students spread out across different parts of the Globe; they continue to visit Orlando on a regular basis and participate in many Sacred Celebrations throughout the year.

“THE HANDS THAT SERVE ARE HOLIER THAN THE LIPS THAT PRAY” -BHAGWAN SRI SATYA SAI BABA-

Hence throughout the history of the Om Tat Sat Institute of Yoga, many of BABAJI's disciples have been trained to serve rather than be served. Everyone was, and is, encouraged to pursue an academic career while maintaining rigorous spiritual disciplines such as, Jappa (daily repetition of a mantra), meditation, and the studying of the sacred text, along with performing daily service to those in need. Eventually, many disciples have graduated, as is required by BABAJI. Though they have become professionals, including doctors, engineers and pilots, they continue to serve selflessly as prescribed in the holy texts, and as practiced by BABAJI, who is the very embodiment of sacrifice, love, and above all, divinity.

Weekly services include Kirtan (call-and-response chanting of hymns / mantras accompanied by music), Bhajans, LORD GANESH Puja, VYASA Puja, GAYATRI MATA Puja, SARASWATI MATA Puja, DURGA MATA Puja, LORD SHIVAJI Puja, LORD HANUMANJI Puja, SRI SITA-RAM Puja, SRI RADHA-KRISHNA Puja, SRI LAKSHMI-NARAYAN Puja and SRI SATHYA NARAYAN Puja. Agnihotra is also performed and the messages from the sacred text such as Guru Gita, Shiv Purana, Bhagawad Gita and Ramayana, are expounded upon in a manner for everyone, young and old, to understand and be enlightened. In addition, yoga classes are conducted weekly for all members, in order to develop the muscular skills and proper breathing techniques required to maintain a healthy body and strong will.

Presently the Om Tat Sat Institute youth group [Junior Om Tat Sat (JOTS)] conducts weekly meetings. Here their activities include, regular visits to the sick and homeless in order to offer comfort and encouragement, and various other exercises intended to develop unity and leadership skills, so that they will eventually be able to carry on the mission of the Om Tat Sat Institute of Yoga.

"THOSE WHO LIVE TO SERVE REALLY LIVE, AND THOSE WHO LIVE ONLY TO BE SERVED, IN REALITY ONLY EXIST!" -BABAJI-