– 8 July 2024
Our beloved Daddy, Swami Anand Krishna (aka Dr Gokul R Gokani), left his body the other night in Ashland, Oregon. In his inimitable fashion, he was laughing and loving fiercely till his very last few moments. His beloved Kumud, our Mum, his kids, grandkids, family and friends were with him in person, or virtually, to celebrate his passing as per his wishes. How did he want us to celebrate? Either singing and dancing or with a laughing meditation. We didn’t think we could muster up laughter, but actually we did all three, with our hearts filled with gratitude for this incredible lion’s heart of a human.
Krishna began his life in a tiny village in Gujarat and through his ultimate wanderlust, courage and absolute disregard for conventions, studied to become an ENT Surgeon. He travelled the globe marching to the beat of his own drum, with his dearest Kumud by his side.
He did his medical specialisation in the UK, in the 60s, moved back to India as he wanted to be near his parents and family. He also didn’t want his children to learn the ways of the swinging 60s….
One balmy Bombay evening, he was reluctantly dragged to listen to a Shri Acharya Rajneesh (as Osho was known then), by his brother Girdharbhai. Krishna fell entirely in love with Osho and meditation, and took sannyas from Osho in Mt Abu in the early 70’s. That was a turning point in his life. It meant that from then on he totally followed his heart.
And his heart was huge. Each person who found a space in his heart knew that they had a unique bond and friendship with him, where it was crystal clear that only they could fulfil that role.
Meditation and Celebration became the two wings with which Krishna soared the skies. His love and devotion to Osho and meditation filled his life with joy, courage and countless adventures, from his taking sannyas to getting ready for the end.
Many generations of people knew Daddy to be incredibly loving, but also mischievous, irreverent, wise, eternally playful – like a Krishna. He loved infinitely and shared himself in abundance. (He loved his ice cream, kulfi and mangoes in abundance, too.)
Adventuring through life with his full family in tow, he moved from India to the UK, to Kenya and back to India, finally settling in Oregon, a place he said felt like home. In Oregon, Daddy & Mummy built a joyous life from scratch which in no way resembled any of their other life chapters. They built beautiful new friendships and connections with MafU.
Now as messages are pouring in for him, people are not admiring his accomplishments or how immensely well-travelled he was for a shoeless kid who grew up in a village, but expressing how he has touched their hearts and how he has made them feel – utterly and deeply valued.
Krishna lit up a room. He was a man of earth, spirit and always love. So deeply grateful.
Love forever,
Chetana (aka Angela Gokani Brasier)
Obit in the media
- Dr Gokul Gokani – punemirror.com
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