Swami Rama established the Himalayan Institute in 1971 and served as its spiritual head until his passing. His role as founder set the vision, philosophical orientation, and spiritual direction that continue to define the Institute. Although he is no longer physically present, his relationship to the Institute endures in the form of a guiding legacy rather than direct, personal leadership. The Institute functions as the institutional continuation of his work, shaped by the foundations he laid during his lifetime.

Today, the Himalayan Institute operates as an organization whose identity and mission remain rooted in Swami Rama’s teachings. His writings, lectures, and instructional materials continue to form a central reference point for its programs and curriculum. Senior teachers and disciples carry forward the educational approach he articulated, presenting themselves as stewards of the tradition he inaugurated. In this way, his influence persists as the living thread that connects the Institute’s present activities to its original inspiration.

The relationship between Swami Rama and the Himalayan Institute can therefore be understood as one of enduring spiritual and philosophical inheritance. The Institute’s ongoing work reflects a conscious effort to preserve and transmit the teachings and methods he imparted, while functioning as an organized body with its own leadership structure. His presence is felt not through personal governance, but through the continued study, practice, and dissemination of the path he outlined.