When Gurumayi first said, “Happy new year!” I really felt she was here, so I answered, “Happy new year, Gurumayi!” and at that moment Gurumayi started laughing, so she really must have heard me.
a nine-year-old Siddha Yogi from Hong Kong
My favorite part of A Sweet Surprise was chanting Om Namah Shivaya. It helped me be quiet, and during the chant I put my hands into the shape of a heart. I felt a lot of love after participating. I am going to practice Gurumayi’s Message in the car on the way to school each morning.
a seven-year-old Siddha Yogi from California, USA
When I meditated during A Sweet Surprise 2017, I experienced my breath as a steady, energizing force that supported me in turning my attention within. Taking full breaths enabled me to let go of tension and become comfortable in my body, which in turn helped my mind to become still.
Often, the experiences I have with my physical body seem disconnected from the inner experiences I have during meditation. However, when I meditated during A Sweet Surprise 2017, I felt as if my breath were carrying the love and joyous energy of the Heart to every cell of my being. I delighted in the experience, and I look forward to returning to it again and again.
a twenty-one-year-old Siddha Yogi from Wisconsin, USA
During the meditation, I had a vision of flowers in the shape of a heart. I was a bee on this heart of flowers. And then a light appeared in the center of the flowers.
an eleven-year-old Siddha Yogi from Rome, Italy
I participated in A Sweet Surprise Satsang with my cousins, who are eight and three. To prepare, we bathed and lit a lamp. When the satsang began, all of us listened carefully. I liked the words and I could feel Gurumayi’s love and power coming from them. I noticed how my little cousin was so devoted while chanting the mantra. Listening to Gurumayi speak made me feel pure, energetic, and so HAPPY! I really like her voice!
A nine-year-old Siddha Yogi from Chennai, India
What I understood after participating in A Sweet Surprise and receiving Gurumayi’s Message is that I can be calm and centered no matter what happens in the world. Making peace with myself is a way to create peace with others.
a twenty-two-year-old Siddha Yogi from California, USA
After the satsang, I felt happy and inspired to practice Gurumayi’s Message. When I hear the Message, it helps me with things I get frustrated about, like violin or ballet. Whenever I get frustrated, I can breathe and remember the Message.
a nine-year-old Siddha Yogi from British Columbia, Canada
Right at the end of the meditation, I had a vision of a soft amber light swirling in the crown of my head. The light came with a feeling of awe and wonder. I thought, “Wow this is amazing. I’m reveling in the light of the Self!” This experience energized my meditation practice. Now, I want to meditate more often so I can experience every aspect of Gurumayi’s Message for 2017.
a twenty-four-year-old Siddha Yogi from Utah, USA
After A Sweet Surprise I felt calm, and my breath got very deep. Now I am more aware of its presence all the time.
a ten-year-old Siddha Yogi from Connecticut, USA
When I participated in A Sweet Surprise 2017 I felt great gratitude and happiness. I have already memorized Gurumayi’s Message. Now I practice the Message by saying it before I eat dinner with my family and when I meditate in the mornings before school. When I meditate, Gurumayi’s Message brings warmth inside of me.
a ten-year-old Siddha Yogi from California, USA
I remember hearing Gurumayi’s voice. I hadn't heard it in a very long time. Gurumayi’s sweet voice, welcoming us all. The chant was a lot of fun—to be with Gurumayi and be chanting. In meditation, I saw a picture of Gurumayi smiling at me. I felt fresh.
We're always connected to Gurumayi. She's always here. It's not the case that we can only sometimes see her. We can always see her in our hearts.
a seven-year-old Siddha Yogi from British Columbia, Canada