…left his body on 10th April 2015.
Swami Deva Anand (aka Devanand) was born Walter Wallauer in 1938 in Nürnberg, Germany (before World War II). Despite the war he did not harbour bad memories of his childhood. His mother never gave him the feeling that there was not enough food, at least he did not remember he ever suffered from hunger. His deep connection with his mother sadly ended with her sudden death.
The following years of dependency and insecurity led him into life-negative spaces. He sufferend from cancer, which he survived. During his convalescence, which he spent in a clinic in Bad Herrenalb, he came in contact with psychotherapy and meditation for the first time. He would refer to this period in life as the one which changed his life.
He travelled to Pune and took sannyas and later lived in several sannyas communities in Germany. One of which was the small Tarisha Osho Meditation Centre in Stuttgart which he led for a while. In the ashram in Pune he was trained in massage, psychic massage and hypnosis. He was also a worker and many might remember him as the caretaker of Mahakashyapa.
Many might also remember the story Devanand told when he was living in a romantic mill in the countryside and the old house burnt down. He lost all his possessions in the fire. Later he felt happy about it because he could now live like Indian sannyasins, without home and belongings.
This is how he spent his years: in summer he lived in Europe together with friends and in winter he stayed with a Indian friend in Pune. Because he was such a generous person, full of humour and friendliness, he received many invitations from friends around the world. Children particularly were very fond of him and he knew how to take care of them in a loving way.
After he left the Pune commune he created and developed his own healing system with included orgon waves, Reiki and pendulum work. His body had always been fragile and needed a lot of attention, but he always had the energy to apply his healing work to help others.
He often mentioned how lucky he was and that existence was taking care of him; he was a very positive thinking person. During the last year of his life he lost interest in other people and focussed more on himself and a few very close friends.
Devanand died in Inlaks Hospital in Pune, at age 77. The first photo was taken the day before.
Tributes
I first met Devanand in 1981 when I was 11 years old in an Osho Ashram called Diviya. He was so welcoming and sweet to me being so new to it all. Over the years we met here and there, and the connection of warmth and heart always remained. Beautiful to see the photo of him just before he left his body. So loving and ready for the new adventure. Fly high, Devavand!
Deva Premal
Beloved Devanand, fly high, taking your wonderful humour with you… Remembering your years of running around here and there, always a smile on your face, just like on this picture, and then the years of silence, seeing you sporadically. Thank you for being a caring friend. Farewell,
Aviram
So many years ago we were the pioneers in Stuttgart for spreading the news about this incredible Guru Bhagwan in Poona. Now you are gone. I see you appearing in my memories: of you with wet, tearful eyes because of laughing together about all the comic and crackyness of daily life. I loved your gentle humour. Guten Flug ins große Ganze und sanftes Landen in der Unendlichkeit!
Shunyam
He was a such a sweet man, full of heart and kindness. We often spent time together sharing, in the German Bakery and other places. Only love remains….
Satto
When I came to Pune for the first time in 1999, he was the one welcoming me there. We laughed a lot together and I always enjoyed his wonderful sense of humor. I feel blessed that I could be with him during his last weeks. He has been so thankful and wonderful, carefree and happy all these days.
Adarsha
Devanand was one of the first sannyasins I met back in 1980. He appeared in my shared flat in Nuernberg, Germany, and gave me my first Tarot Reading. From then on we bumped into each other within Osho’s Communities in Germany, India and he even visited Byron Bay in Australia. Devanand was always a very happy, nurturing and eccentric, easy-going friend and surely was one of the lights which showed me the way to Osho; he was one of his true lovers, living to the fullest. You are always in my heart, beloved Devanand.
Niti
Now you are gone and today as I am celebrating my day of birth I see your picture and tears flow; tears of gratitude for all the wonderful moments we have shared together in Pune, in my garden house. You so often just popped up for a chai and some laughter. How much fun we had experimenting with your newly discovered healing devices and our playful quarelling! You loved to tease me and I loved your wisdom and your zest for life. Not so long ago I asked Bhuti about your whereabouts, as we had lost track of each other. I am happy to know that you left for the mysterious journey from the place you loved the most. Farewell my friend, all love be with you and thank you for blessing my life. You are in my heart, Beloved <3
Mahana
Devanand-Ji, you were one of the first sanyasin I met. It was 1976 and I was 18 and you an ‘experienced’ seeker. You lived in an old mill near Nuernberg in a commune and our lives are intertwined since then through our love for Osho. In almost 40 years I saw you opening to life and love more and more, accepting all and going with the flow; I saw the flowers of innocence and gratitude and joy blooming in you – and this last photo of you is a pure celebration of life! Beloved Devanand, with a deep bow I say farewell to you and thank you for leaving footprints of love in my heart, dancing lightly into your new adventure. Namaste, beloved friend,
Atmo
Devanand, you welcomed me in the Stuttgart Osho Center when I was heartbrocken and homeless. You had true kindness of the heart. You helped many of us with your sharing from deep within. And you where a rascal: when the neighbours called the police on Sunday morning during Dynamic Meditation, they usually arrived at the silent stage at our top floor and just could look into your sweet and innocent eyes. You enjoyed the game. Once I was too lazy with my center-work, you banged your fist on the table to wake me up, thank you! In 1997 you told me in the Resort that you had recently just escaped death. Your eyes shone their light for another 18 years on those around you, what a gift. Even death must have been touched, closing them gently. Farewell, dear friend,
Anand Nirbija
We first met in a small Osho ashram in Schorndorf around 1982. Already at that time some of us called him grandpa; and specially the kids loved him. Since that time we have been friends. We had a very warm and sweet meeting a few days before he left his body…and death feels so normal with…for him… Fly high,
Navanito
When I first met Devanand-ji, he was sitting silently in a friend’s garden, a flower amongst the flowers. And I immediately fell in love with this one… How could you not? His gentle and kind being, his infectious laughter, his sweet naughtiness which loved to tease, and the twinkle in his bright eyes will forever live in my heart. In love and gratitude!
Anurag
Oh, Devanand! There you are! On your way home! Lost track of you in the last years. We’ve lived together in Divya Ashram 1981-1983; you had so much fun with the children of our little commune near Nuernberg. Always in a good mood, welcoming, full of love, acceptance and surrender. You visited me here in Byron Bay and stayed in my house for a few weeks. I still see you sitting on the lounge with your pendulum; you checked out your food, your sleeping place, the energy in the house. I still have the crystals in each corner you ask me to place. Sweetest heart, dearest friend, so so much love – fly high B
beloved,
Sangeet
With great honour to Devanand’s transition and this enormous openness till the last moment – coming out of his eyes and soul. My appreciation and all the best through his Bardo.
Loving Ma Anand Anadi who met Devanand in the 80’s at Divya Center in Germany.
Hi beloved Devanand, looking into your eyes, holding your hand, still so warm and alive just two hours before you left. I had so much fun with you running the caretaking of the Pyramids area in Pune in the 90’s. Thanks, dear one… With love,
Ekanta
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