Assimilation

Although I had read this essay on assimilation a number of times before, I had never actually practiced the method described of using music and fragrance to enhance assimilation. But after reading a share in which the writer describes her experience of using this method, I was inspired to try it myself.
 
I wanted to more fully understand and experience a teaching of Gurumayi that I had been studying a few days before. It was a teaching on the virtue of gentleness. So, I applied a fragrant oil that I sometimes use before meditation, and I began to listen to the song from Remembrance. As I listened and reflected on Gurumayi’s teaching, amazingly, I felt that the quality of gentleness was embracing me, seeping into my bones, and becoming part of me.
 
I was filled with gratitude to Gurumayi for her teaching. And I was grateful for this essay on assimilation and for the share that, together, inspired me to practice it.
 

Massachusetts, United States

This morning I participated in the practice of assimilation as described by Eesha. I focused on assimilating a profound experience of the Guru’s grace and synchronicity I had just had.
 
It has been my practice for years to recite the Namakam and Chamakam of Shri Rudram each Monday morning. This morning I remembered that the 103-year-old mother of a good friend was near death, and the family had gathered. I offered my recitation to my friend, his mother, and their family. Afterwards, I opened my email to read that his mother had passed away during my recitation. I’m grateful for this deep reminder that the Guru’s grace is always present and that the awakened inner shakti is always there to guide me. 
 

North Carolina, United States

I was drawn to read “Assimilation” this morning. Journal writing is one of my favorite ways to assimilate the Siddha Yoga teachings. It helps me to understand teachings at a deeper level and supports me to be with the teachings for an extended period of time so they can reveal deeper layers of meaning. I find that the process of assimilation reveals some deeper tendencies in me and opens up new dimensions of my being.
 
I am feeling extremely happy and grateful after reading this exposition as it adds further insights as to how I can continue to assimilate and integrate the invaluable teachings into daily life situations and relish their nectar.
 

Pune, India

I experience sublime feelings of joy when listening to this music. The deeply moving and calming effects of the delicate and sweet sounds in the upper register, the cascading arpeggios, and the silence between notes—all this feels like a great gift.  
 

Pennsylvania, United States

I love the analogy that Eesha shares with us in her exposition: when Gurumayi explains assimilation to people, she gives the analogy of a drip irrigation system. I learned from reading this that assimilation needs time before a teaching or an experience can truly sink in. 
 
For example: I am grateful for a lot of things—but I am also often spending time rushing around, hurrying, and multitasking. I understand that to assimilate my gratitude, I have to pause from these activities and take time to contemplate that which I am grateful for and why. Only then will I deeply feel gratitude.
 

New York, United States

As I read this exposition on assimilation, my heart yearned to understand this subject better. For me, the process of trying to understand this teaching is in itself an exercise in assimilation. I am joyously drawn to engage with this teaching. Though I have practiced the Siddha Yoga teachings for many years now, I believe that I have still not truly and completely grasped all the aspects of assimilation. It will require me to do much more reading and practice more reflection to be able to fully understand what the essence of assimilation really is.

I am so thankful to Gurumayi for the loving guidance of this exposition. 
 

Bangalore, India

Illinois, United States

This beautiful piano improvisation moves me very deeply. While I listen to it, I see myself walking through my path of life, reliving different moments in my sadhana.
 
Images of friends on the spiritual path come to mind. Laughter and tears. Moments of joy with my physical and inner Guru. Reading, studying, meditating, offering seva. I picture my beautiful children and my loving husband. Tears of gratitude roll down as I continue to listen.
 
This special music evokes in me profound feelings and memorable sweet images.
 

Mexico City, Mexico

It’s fascinating to contemplate the relationship between assimilation and fragrance. The connection for me is in the breath. When I breathe in the extraordinary fragrance of jasmine or rose, my mind stops, and I feel elevated as I access the transcendental through the realm of the senses.
 

Maryland, United States

After reading this delightful exposition while listening to the music of the album Remembrance, I asked myself the question: “What is the goal of assimilation?’ This answer came into my mind: “Inner attainment—to rejoice in the heart.”
 
Assimilation for me is, for example, taking the time to savor good food by closing my eyes and turning my attention toward my heart. This sweetness of the heart is also what I have come to experience while chanting and listening to Siddha Yoga hymns and prayers, and while silently repeating the mantra. 
 
Through regular Siddha Yoga practices over the years, I have implemented “a system of drip irrigation” of the kind that Gurumayi has described as an analogy to assimilation, and that process of “drip irrigation” has borne delicious fruits for my sadhana.
 

Rodez, France