WAT, Ananda (WATTS, Daniel), died 2012

WAT, WATTS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 1/31/2012 at 14:40:28

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Page 8

Ananda WAT

Our dear friend Ananda WAT (formerly Daniel WATTS) passed into heavenly bliss on January 23rd 2012, aged 62. Affectionately known to all as "Ananda-ji", he was the embodiment of pure bliss and selfless devotion to others, and his friends and family will miss him dearly.

Ananda grew up in what he fondly called "L.A." -- lower Alabama. His father passed away at 36 from a heart attack and Ananda became the man of the family at the age of 15.

After serving for the military in Vietnam, Ananda discovered a love of travel. No country was too difficult to reach and he loved to recount hair-raising stories of trips in the back of vehicles through the remote parts of the Far East, or backpacking across Australia.

Ananda was a wonderful advocate for transcendental meditation. In 1976, after becoming a TM teacher, he came to England on what he thought was a short visit before returning home to America. He stayed for half a year to teach meditation to American servicemen on the bases in Suffolk.

During the 80's (sic) he worked in the computer services department at Maharishi University of Management.

In the 1990's (sic), he lived for eight years in Thailand, creating a unique system of teaching English to the Thai people. His students were mainly children and when they learned English, it was without a detectable accent. This was a tremendous achievement and attracted the notice of the Thai government.

In 2000, Ananda met Dr. Raju and took ayurvedic treatment in New Delhi, India which was so effective on his childhood back injuries that Ananda decided to devote himself to the full-time service of the Raju family, volunteering as the patient coordinator for the family-run clinic in Hyderbad. With considerable southern charm, a touch of discipline, and always with a kind heart full of love and humor, he educated, encouraged, cajoled, and handled payments and shipped medicines for hundreds of patients from all over the world who passed through the clinic. As a result of his hard work and devotion, many with debilitating and chronic conditions found a way to be healed.

In 2011, Ananda returned to America to be close to his loving mother. He was fully engaged in work for the Raju clinic up until the day he passed. We know he goes on to even greater and better things. He is survived by his mother and two sisters.

Arrangements have been made with the Behner Funeral Home. A service will be held there at 10:00 am on Thursday.

Copied with permission from The Fairfield Ledger, Inc.
*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

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