Posing for a photo by photographer Joan Hyman.
Prem Trikkanand and his wife, Sheela (front right) and Joan Hyman (on the far left) with Swami Venkatesananda seated next to Prem. Prem Trikkanand is the grandson of Swami ("Papa") Ramdas. Swami Venkatesananda used to love the kirtan singing of Swami Papa Ramdas, especially the way in which he sang Sri Ramma Jai Ramma, with such simplicity and such power. Prem Trikkananand, also had a way with Kirtan and Bhajahn. The Los Angeles Yoga Centre was fortunate enough to have Prem come with his harmonium, and enjoy his singing. We have given you a link below, so that you may have an opportunity to hear him sing also:
Devotional singing, bhajans, and kirtans at Satsang Foundation
Photography by Joan K. Hyman October 1970
After seeing a statue of St. Francis, Swamiji asked us if we had ever seen a bad sculpture of the Buddha. "Isn't it remarkable that they are all are so beautiful? You rarely see a bad looking statue of Buddha! They always look marvelous!" Then he mentioned that one of the popular statues of the Buddha was actually not a statue of him but rather of Budai, and that he considered this one of his favorites, the version with the arms extended with the hands high above the head. The so called "Laughing Buddha" was actually the "Laughing Budai." He decided to demonstrate for us what this statue looked like, and that is precisely the moment that Joan managed to take this particular photograph in the gardens of Self Realization Fellowship in Pacific Palisades. (Photo by Richard Levy)
Photography by Ganga White October 1970
Photography by Joan K. Hyman October 1970
A good laugh for Swami Venkatesananda was the rule, not the exception. (Captured by Photographer Joan Hyman).
Or is it West meets East? Two dignitaries from opposite ends of the spectrum.
Photography by Joan K. Hyman October 1970