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Celebrating Christmas with Gurumayi

© 2017 SYDA Foundation®. All rights reserved.
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A blanket of glittering white snow adorned the grounds of Shree Muktananda Ashram on the morning of December 25, 2017. The sky was bright and clear, and the wind seemed to sing a special tune just for this day—Christmas Day.

As Gurumayi spoke with those gathered for the holiday celebration, as she walked with them through the Ashram, as she imparted her teachings in satsang, the feeling of warmth and goodwill, of joy bubbling over, was so present—as though it was seating itself in everyone’s hearts. Everyone’s face was aglow; wishes of "Merry Christmas" filled the air.

Gurumayi teaches us to share our goodness with one another, to act from the heart, to act with love. All through the Ashram on Christmas Day, one could see and feel and hear this teaching being made manifest.

At Gurumayi’s request, these glimpses into Christmas in Shree Muktananda Ashram are being made available to the global sangham. In this way each of you, wherever you are, may receive Gurumayi’s teachings and experience the joy of the celebration.

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When I heard the blessed voice of Gurumayi chanting, and experienced the absolute joy and laughter that seemed to flow from her to me, I felt the presence of God.
 

Kobenhavn, Denmark

Listening to Gurumayi speak about God during the Christmas satsang inspires me, as a writer, to write stories that convey the experience of God and God’s love. I’m so excited about looking for creative ways to infuse the experience of the Truth and God’s love into my stories.
 
I feel the Guru’s grace and blessing in my life.
 

Connecticut, USA

When do I experience God? I definitely experienced God while watching this video "Celebrating Christmas with Gurumayi"! My eyes became so happy seeing the beauty and the radiance in all the people's faces. My ears became so happy while listening to the joyful sound of the chant. And my heart became so happy as it filled with waves of love.
 
I especially liked when Gurumayi reminded us that we can experience God in happy moments, too. For me it was like receiving permission to really enjoy such moments and, even better, to share the pleasure of it with God. I want to remember this and implement it in my daily life. 
 
Thank you, Gurumayi, for this precious gift.
 

Großkarolinenfeld, Germany

To participate in the Christmas satsang was such a sweet gift from Shri Gurumayi!
 
Gurumayi's observation  about matrika shakti has given me a new direction on how to choose my words, using any means of communication—when interacting with others or sending out emails, as well as in becoming vigilant with my own thoughts. I became aware that matrika shakti is a form of the formless God. When I practice Gurumayi’s teaching with awareness, my love and deepest gratitude for God’s compassion expand within me.
 
Thank you, Gurumayi, for your teachings, which are my precious treasures, and for always being so generous.
 

Bedford Gardens-Gauteng, SouthAfrica

I was overjoyed to open the Siddha Yoga path website and discover the video "Celebrating Christmas with Gurumayi." As Gurumayi spoke to us while standing by the Christmas tree, great love and happiness welled up in my heart.
 
When Gurumayi told us that when we go for a swim in the ocean, we can remember that God is with us, I felt her words speaking to me—as it is summer in Australia and this week I have been swimming in the ocean. All this summer when I swim, I will remember these words of Gurumayi.
 

Thornbury, Australia

My heart filled with love and joy to be able to share this Christmas video with Gurumayi! Her words about the shining heart made me feel her love for me. And the Christmas satsang was surely my best Christmas present ever! 
 
Thank you, Gurumayi, for always sending your love to me wherever I go.
 

Pune, India

The teaching on how we experience God's love went right to my heart and I was reminded of the many ways God's love is around me and within me. I am now taking the time to look, notice, and become aware of this.
 
Thank you, Gurumayi, for sharing this beautiful satsang with all of us.
 

California, USA

When I viewed the images of the "Christmas Satsang" photo gallery, I felt a deep longing in my heart to see Gurumayi. The very next day this video appeared on the website, and I was able to see Gurumayi talking, walking, laughing, and singing with fellow Siddha Yogis. My joy knew no bounds.
 

Chennai, India

On seeing the beautiful images and powerful teachings, I cried tears of joy! I then asked myself what I feel when I am on my mat practicing hatha yoga. I realized it is light shining through me with freedom and joy. It was a beautiful moment of recognition.
 

Montreal, Canada

Yesterday, when I opened the Christmas Celebration photo gallery, I was ecstatic! It was more than I could ever imagine receiving as a Christmas gift from Gurumayi. Then, early this morning, I had an impulse to go online much earlier than I usually do. And since the Siddha Yoga path website is my homepage, as soon as I opened the browser, behold! The website announced, “Celebrating Christmas with Gurumayi”! 
 
The abundance of love and joy that I experienced from this video filled my heart. Like God, the compassion and generosity of the Guru are infinite.  For me there is no difference between experiencing God’s love and the Guru’s love. Both fill my heart with profound peace and harmony.
 

San Felipe, Mexico

From the very start of the Christmas celebration, I was just waiting to celebrate Christmas with Gurumayi. And indeed, I celebrated enthusiastically when I watched this video and saw all those lovely, smiling faces.
 
When Gurumayi was holding that shimmering heart and told us about holding this heart next to the sunrise for many mornings, where it shimmered with the light of the sun, I felt that she was holding my heart to take care of it. I felt as if my own heart started shimmering in that moment, and I felt happiness within me.
 
Thank you, Gurumayi, for your love and your surprises.
 

Allahabad, India

While everybody was showing symbols of love and peace at the end of the satsang, I could not stop the tears coming out of my eyes. My heart was trembling with God's love.
 
Thank you, Gurumayi, for sending us this great love.
 

Yokohama, Japan

The beautiful Christmas satsang deepened my conviction that I can always give God’s love by sharing happiness and joy with whomever I interact with, whether they are strangers or loved ones.
 
Practicing Gurumayi’s Message for 2017 has strengthened me for doing this. When I feel discouraged by events on the earth plane, I remind myself to breathe deeply, "unfurling and expanding" the wings of my spirit, as Gurumayi expressed it in her talk, “The Benevolent Companion.” The angel at the end of the Christmas video montage further validated my instinct to stay focused on unfurling my wings and giving God’s love in every precious moment.
 

Connecticut, USA

This video is amazing prasad. As I was watching it, I remembered how we celebrated Christmas in Gurudev Siddha Peeth— dancing, chanting, and remembering the love and blessings of Shri Gurumayi.
 
Whenever I chant God's name, and whenever I see my children playing, I feel like God is with me, and my heart becomes warm and my eyes moist.
 

Khargone, India

Today I visited the Cezanne exhibition here in London. Some of the paintings were so rich and masterful, I got lost in their colors. I felt very inspired and alive, and privileged to be able to view Cezanne's creations.
 
Tonight, viewing the Christmas Day video, I felt all those emotions again. But most of all, I felt blessed to be walking this amazing path of Siddha Yoga, which opens my eyes and heart to the world around me.
 
Thank you, Gurumayi, for making all this possible.
 

London, United Kingdom

When I saw the Christmas Day video with Gurumayi and also the Christmas Satsang photo gallery, I felt that I was in the global sangham and I became happy, calm, and at peace!
 
Thank you, Gurumayi, for this prasad!
 

Belo Horizonte, Brazil

As Gurumayi held up that shining heart and spoke of her love for each of us, I had this instant sense of overwhelming love and connection. I realized: this is true darshan, the inner recognition.
 
I also appreciated hearing the share from the fellow whose house almost got lost to the California wildfires, but who realized he was OK with either outcome. What a beautiful and powerful understanding that is to hold— such unshakeable contentment!
 

New Hampshire, USA

This morning I watched the video with my one-year-old twins. The whole time Gurumayi spoke and chanted, they were both so still. One of them came to sit on my lap and began swaying. At one point during the chant, he had tears in his eyes.

Later in the morning, I watched the video with a very sweet eight-year-old boy. When Gurumayi was at the Christmas tree talking to us while holding the heart ornament, he answered her as if they were in the same room: "Yes Gurumayi, I want to know a secret. Yes, Gurumayi, that is my heart. I love you, Gurumayi.”
 
He chanted with so much devotion and love. When the chant finished, he hugged me and said, “This was magical! It was like being in the Ashram, celebrating with Gurumayi.” It is so moving for me to see these young Siddha Yogis' deep connection to the spiritual path.
 
In total, the children and I ended up watching the video five times today!
 
Thank you, Gurumayi, for this beautiful gift and for sending your love in such a tangible way to all of us around the world.
 

Mexico City, Mexico

When I heard Gurumayi speak of remembering God as she saw the sun shining down, it reminded me of an experience I had this morning visiting the animals at an animal sanctuary.

As I stood watching a beautiful black-and-white cow standing so still and peacefully facing the bright sun, I imagined that the cow was inwardly doing sun salutations, drinking in the warmth of the sun on this very cold day. I connected to a quiet and tranquil place within myself as I watched.

Gurumayi’s words reminded me to recognize that these moments too are moments of God's presence.
 

Massachusetts, USA

This video was a beautiful gift! I especially resonated with Gurumayi’s invitation to us to remember God during the happy, joyous, and delightful moments of our lives. I have been practicing this over the past few years and I was filled with great joy and exhilaration to hear Gurumayi speak about it!

 

Mumbai, India

As Gurumayi held the shimmering diamond heart decoration in her hands, I felt my own heart. I know that this is how she holds my heart always, in all ways! Thank you, Gurumayi. Thank you, I am so grateful.
 

Florida, USA

What an amazing Christmas gift of pure love, smiles, and reunion with the Guru and with God. Gurumayi's generosity is leading me to recognize my true essence—the essence of joy, sincerity, and infinity.
 

Vicenza, Italy

Participating in this satsang, I feel present at Shree Muktananda Ashram, and my heart is telling me that this is the truth. Thank you, Gurumayi, for sharing this exquisite Christmas celebration with all of us.
 

Annecy, France

To see the joy and the light in everyone’s faces and voices made Christmas complete for me. In that moment I felt God’s immense love.
 

Connecticut, USA

I am so grateful to Gurumayi for inviting us all to celebrate Christmas with her through this exquisite video. My heart is saturated with her love. The light of God’s presence illumines my life, like the sun illumines the earth. I am filled with joy to be Gurumayi’s  disciple in this lifetime.
 
Thank you, dearest Gurumayi.
 

Llwynygroes, United Kingdom

This video reconnected me to my Self. Now, I feel my heart is shining brilliantly, and I will carry this divine love wherever I go, whatever I do.
 
Thank you, Gurumayi!
 

Indore, India

My mother asked me what my ideal Christmas would be. I said it would be to spend Christmas with Gurumayi, but I didn't know how that could happen. Today when I woke up,  my mom told me there was a video entitled, "Celebrating Christmas with Gurumayi" and I was so excited to watch it!
 
When the chanting began, my mom and I got out our tambourines and we joined along! I experienced this satsang as very powerful. And my wish to spend Christmas with Gurumayi came true!
 
Thank you, Gurumayi, for this video!
 

a ten-year-old Siddha Yogi from California, USA

Today is my mom’s 98th birthday and we just watched the video "Celebrating Christmas with Gurumayi" together.  Mom can’t see very well any more, but she leaned in to take in all the images and sounds—and the palpable love of the Siddha Yogis in satsang.  My mom’s name is Grace, and her birthday morning was certainly grace-filled! 
 
Thank you, Gurumayi, for the most incredible gift I could ever imagine my mom receiving—your laughter, your teachings, and your love.
 

West Vancouver, Canada