Singing Opera With Adi Da

Aniello Panico and Roger Ohlsen

Aniello Panico has been a student and devotee of Adi Da Samraj since 1972. Aniello was also instrumental in the establishment of the Dawn Horse Press, the publishing house responsible for the publication of Avatar Adi Da's Teaching. Now in his 80's, and having spent considerable time in Adi Da's Company, Aniello wants to share a lifetime of enjoying the wisdom, energy, blessings and love of Adi Da Samraj — an enjoyment so profound that he considers himself the "luckiest man alive!".

Roger Ohlsen is a longtime devotee of Adi Da who was also a professional opera singer. He was a Juilliard-trained tenor (American Opera Center) who sang with City Opera in New York City for thirty years. He is also a voice teacher and a master of Reiki healing.

This story was first published on Aniello's Facebook page, My Life With Adi Da Samraj.

During His years of face-to-face Teaching Work, Bhagavan Adi Da used singing opera with His devotees as a skillful means that drew those present into selfless feeling-ecstasy.

The Adi Da singing opera with Roger Ohlsen, Aniello Panico, and the "Angelic Chorus" (December, 1977)

Adi Da singing opera with Roger Ohlsen, Aniello Panico, and the "Angelic Chorus" (December, 1977) (click picture for enlargement)

ANIELLO PANICO: Singing with Beloved Adi Da was an extraordinary experience. At the end of an evening of gathering with Him, He would loudly exclaim, "Tenors to my right, Angelic Chorus (ladies) to my left!" The Siddhi of the Guru enhanced our singing and made it both happy and great. You felt like you could match a Pavarotti! I would feel my chest ready to explode with joy as I sung at full volume. Truly an ecstasy that we looked forward to at every gathering, and Adi Da would magnify our enjoyment and happiness during these occasions We always finished the evening singing Puccini's Nessun Dorma (No One Sleeps).

ROGER OHLSEN: How did it feel to sing for and with the Guru? All my classical presumptions and opera training flew out the window in the Force of His Ecstasy. I was suddenly drawn into a feeling of absolute bliss and absolute love for my Guru. He would roar out the most fantastic tones with no withholding. I fell madly in love with Him. He released all my inhibitions. That was December 1977, yet it feels like yesterday. I Love Him with my whole heart. And today it feels like He is still singing me.

The Divine Master of His devotees' hearts (and lungs) listens astutely, having called His male devotees to a heartfelt rendition of Puccini's Nessun Dorma (Spring, 1993)

The Divine Master of His devotees' hearts (and lungs) listens astutely, having called His male devotees to a heartfelt rendition of Puccini's Nessun Dorma (Spring, 1993) (click picture for enlargement)

This story appears in
Crazy Wisdom and Adidam and Music

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