I came on pilgrimage looking to be healed and transformed. I wasn't expecting a miracle.

Our first stop on arriving in India was Puttaparthi and the ashram of a guru named Sathya Sai Baba. On Saturday morning, we attended a devotional reflection and prayer time. Our group was seated in the massive meditation hall on the black granite floor, in a sea of women beautifully and vibrantly dressed in traditional Indian garb. The energy and reverence of the place was palpable. The woman sitting next to me lived at the ashram and was a devout follower of Sai Baba. We struck up a hushed conversation, and she showed me a meditation book written by the swami. The words on the page struck such a chord in my heart that I knew I wanted that book.

Later that afternoon, I made a trip to the bookstore, specifically to find the book she mentioned. When I got there, the bookstore was closed! My heart sank, and then I was upset. Jillian, one of my fellow pilgrims, told me, "You will have the book when the time is right." I wasn't convinced.

On Sunday morning, we attended the devotion time at the ashram once again. I made a strong commitment going into my meditation. I said to myself, "I am not leaving this spot until I am healed." I felt ready to be transformed and I kept my thoughts on my mantra and my intention. Not long into my meditation, I felt my heart open up and felt like a beam of divine energy had filled my body. I had the profound feeling that all was well, that I was totally provided for and that I would be healed. I knew that this was a journey of transformation that was just beginning and that I had a lot of love and healing to share with my family.

Just then, a fellow pilgrim tapped my shoulder. I opened my eyes to look at her and she pointed down toward me. There was the book I had been looking for -- as if it had materialized out of thin air. My neighbor explained that the woman I had met yesterday saw me meditating from across the room and was moved to offer me the book as a gift. But she hadn't wanted to disturb me during the meditation, so she put the book in my lap and walked away. By the time I opened my eyes, she had gone.

When I realized what had happened, I was so moved that I started crying. I believe that my receiving the book was a kind of miracle. Every time I pick it up, I think about the connection to spirit that I made, and it reminds me that that connection is always available.