Guru watches me while I sculpt him

Guru asked me for the first time to make a life-sized statue of himself for Narada, a disciple in San Francisco who is a Grammy and Emmy-award winning producer and musician. When Guru went to San Francisco, I also went and took the completed statue there.

Guru came to Narada’s house which is called Sacred Rock. He was greeted by a room of Narada’s friends – most all musicians and artists in their own rights. They were all dressed in white clothes. Guru came and he was very happy with such a very beautiful event.

This was the first statue, a full-sized statue of Guru. I think it is the only life-sized statue of himself that Guru saw.

When I was making the statue for Narada's home, I was working in my sons' bedroom. I would work late into the night while the boys slept.

I remember very vividly on one occasion when I was working on Guru's feet, on the dhoti and the feet, I was getting tired. I looked up at the statue face and I saw the eyes moving and looking at me very strongly. All the hairs on my head stood up. I felt so energized! Sometimes Guru obviously came to me and sometimes he was more subtle.

To my greatest joy,
My Lord’s inner Presence
Cradles my entire being.

Sri Chinmoy 1

• 1. Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees, part 27, Agni Press, 2002