The Babaji Interview
By Devyn
Baba Hari Dass, known as “Babaji,” loves kids. He was born in Almora, India in 1923. In India, he studied meditation, yoga, sculpture and building. When Babaji founded Mt. Madonna Center in 1978, he cared about kids enough to build Mount Madonna School.
He also built many fountains and sculptures. It’s exciting to see Babaji when he comes out of the community building and walks right over to us.
Sometimes he gives us candy he carries around in his pocket. Baba Hari Dass has practiced silence since 1952. The reason he is in silence is that he stores energy. Also, he says "It’s not what you say in life, it’s what you do."
The following are questions that I was really curious about Babaji. They could not have been answered without Supriya and Sarada’s help. They got my questions to Babaji in India. I mostly want to thank Babaji though, for taking the time to help me.
The Questions:
1. Do you dream in English or in Hindi
Hindi.
2. Who was your favorite teacher and what was the most important thing you learned?
Baba Raghubar Dass Maharaj. I learned to be responsible for myself.
3. When did you think about starting Mt. Madonna school and why?
The day we bought the land it was in my mind that people will have kids who will be there and they will need a school.
4. Does God take a break?
No.
5. When you think of God what color do you see?
I don’t see God in colors only energy.
6. Do you like when new kids come to Mt. Madonna School? Are you sad when kids sometimes leave?
Yes. (to both)
7. What’s the thing you like to do most?
I like to play.
8. Why did you pick the buildings and houses to be in those places/areas on the mountain?
Those places were most stable.
9. How and when did you find and build Mt. Madonna?
A woman told me about Mt. Madonna, a place of a farm for sale in 1978.
9. Why do you donate all your book money to children’s charities?
Because children are the future power.
10. What did your house look like when you were a kid?
It was an old rock house with a slate roof.