My ten year old daughter, husband, and I participated in the livestream
satsang on Gurumayi's birthday. The very next day, my daughter left for a sleepaway camp.
When she got home, she told me that whenever she was having a hard time at the camp or feeling out of sorts, she thought about Gurumayi and the Birthday Bliss Celebration Satsang, and then she experienced an inner sense of ease.
I was touched to hear about this very tangible way she continued to invoke and be blessed by her experience of participating in Gurumayi's birthday
satsang.
a Siddha Yogi from California, USA
I was fortunate to be able to participate in the Celebration Satsang by computer. When it began, it was night here in Mumbai.
When I saw Gurumayi ji performing
puja to Bhagavan Nityananda, I felt deep gratitude. It seemed to me that she approached Bhagavan Nityananda with such gentleness, love, and gratitude. I felt profound quietness through my entire being.
The next morning when I approached the
guru-puja at my home, I remembered all this and offered my
pranam with gratitude. When I contemplated this experience, I thought, "Why should I approach only my
puja with love, gentleness, and gratitude? I should approach everybody and everything with that same gentleness, love, and gratitude, that I saw when Gurumayi offered her
puja."
I have decided to practice this understanding at home, at the office, and everywhere in my daily life, including in the
seva I offer.
a Siddha Yogi from Mumbai, India
When I went back home after participating for the first time in Gurumayi's Birthday Celebration Satsang, I had mixed feelings: both a feeling of having missed a large part of the
satsang because of technical difficulties, but also a sense of love throughout my being.
This love made me see that all my negative feelings and frustration were a kind of selfishness or pettiness. This love made me see that love was what remained with me from the
satsang, and that it was more important than anything else! This love made me see that I had to protect it, because it was what Gurumayi was giving me—divine love.
Later on, when I participated again in the
satsang, I had a profound feeling of joy.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for this love.
a Siddha Yogi from Garges-lès-Gonesse, France
I was the tech coordinator for the Celebration Satsang at the local Center and was concerned about how the live video stream would go—since we had intermittent drops in speed—and also about how I would handle it. I found myself very alert during the
satsang, and was noticing and responding to transmission issues in the live stream without getting
stressed out or panicking. I also found that I was noticing other things that needed attention and responded appropriately to those too.
The next day, I discovered that I have a lot of new confidence in taking on projects that I had delayed or postponed, due to an earlier lack of confidence in my ability to accomplish them. Now I have received the confidence that any problems with these projects can be overcome and I feel ready to take up those projects. Since then, this experience of confidence has not diminished.
Thank you, Gurumayi.
a Siddha Yogi from Chennai, India
As I watched the Birthday Celebration Satsang live in my meditation room overlooking a lagoon in New Orleans, I thought, "How beyond time and space! Here I am with my beloved Guru, seeing beautiful Lake Nityananda, the trees, many dear faces, and the strong, deep connection of
darshan as in so many summers past." My heart was overflowing with gratitude.
I listened to parts or all of the Celebration Satsang every day of the following week. On the last night that it was available online, I listened again, with Gurumayi's voice as the last sounds I heard as I fell asleep.
Thank you, my dearest Gurumayi, for your life, your love, and this timeless connection.
a Siddha Yogi from Louisiana, USA
The Birthday Celebration Satsang with Gurumayi was so moving and full of joy. It seemed to me as though the whole program had been choreographed as symbolic of the inner journey, beginning with
arati and meditation, then listening to Gurumayi speak, and then traveling with her in the car toward Shri Nilaya for the birthday celebration.
To be immersed in
darshan with Gurumayi for an extended period was the sweetest present, and this was
her birthday! The live webcast left me teeming with energy and fulfillment, full of love and gratitude for Gurumayi and a feeling as though I had been present at Shree Muktananda Ashram the entire time.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for
Birthday Bliss 2017!
a Siddha Yogi from New Jersey, USA
In the weeks before Gurumayi's Birthday Celebration, I had been following an inner desire to sing and memorize the invocation by Tulsidas called "
Shri Hanuman Chalisa." And then, on the beautiful windy day of the Birthday Satsang, Gurumayi told us that our prayers and blessings would be carried by Hanuman to the world!
I so appreciate Gurumayi’s wishes and blessings for us. I experienced them purifying my vision, illuminating the virtues of everyone and everything I perceive, and making the world more precious and beautiful.
Thank you, Gurumayi, from the bottom of my heart, for showering us with your unconditional love and prayers, and for being the joyful light that gives meaning to our lives.
a Siddha Yogi from Maryland, USA
When the host of
Gurumayi's Birthday Celebration Satsang was introducing the satsang, the wind was blowing strongly and almost playfully.
I saw a connection between the wind which seemed to be sharing in announcing the
satsang, and Gurumayi's teachings on the breath in her talk on the website, "The Benevolent Companion." It was as if the wind
was the breath of her teachings on the breath, and the delightful harbinger of Gurumayi's talk!
a Siddha Yogi from Connecticut, USA
When we were all together in the Universal Hall, my two little daughters and I were participating, on a sunny morning, in the family hall in
Casa de Estudios de Siddha Yoga in Mexico City.
When the time came to blow out the candles on Gurumayi’s birthday cake, some of the children, including my daughters, began blowing with Gurumayi. My heart melted in bliss.
I took note of how the wind was present throughout the
satsang. It was present during the visit to Lake Nityananda, during the blessings we sent to the world, and during the moment when Gurumayi and the children blew out the candles. Since that day, every time I feel the wind blow, I take a moment to close my eyes and enjoy the feeling of the air in my whole being— I can feel Gurumayi’s presence so clearly.
Thank you, my beloved Gurumayi, for sharing this birthday celebration.
¡Feliz Cumpleaños! Te Amo!
a Siddha Yogi from Mexico City, Mexico
It was a sublime way and a sublime day to participate in Shri Gurumayi's birthday live stream video
satsang with five other Siddha Yoga devotees together in China. We got up very early in the morning, at 4:00 am, to ensure that our internet connection would be strong during the whole program. And it was. I even managed to connect my computer to the TV and it worked. How wonderful it was that we could see the whole program on a large screen!
Everything was perfectly prepared. At the beginning of
satsang, the song and the music were so beautiful, as if they came from heaven—such a sweet melody. And when Shri Gurumayi was meditating in the Nityananda Temple, I closed my eyes and meditated on Gurumayi. I felt the
shakti pushing on the top of my head. When I turned my attention there, what remained was peace, no thoughts, just peace that filled my entire being.
It was such a glorious birthday! We were overjoyed to experience the
darshan of Gurumayi via video. The energy was full of love, peace, and joy. We felt as if we were at the Ashram with Shri Gurumayi, chanting and dancing. It was pure bliss. I was moved to tears several times, as love was moving in my heart.
Janmadin Ki Jay Jay! Gurumayi Ki Jay Jay!
a Siddha Yogi from Shenzhen , China
When I went to the local Center with my parents for the Birthday Celebration
satsang, I was so excited to watch Gurumayi in the live video stream. During the celebration, I enjoyed chanting so much. l love to chant Baba ji's name. And chanting with Gurumayi—what a blissful moment!
Happy Birthday, Shri Gurumayi!
a six-year-old Siddha Yogi from Ahmedabad, India
Though I live in Pune, I was in Germany for Birthday Bliss 2017 and for the live stream. I realized as I watched that no matter which part of the globe I might be in, the Guru's grace and presence are always there for me. I also learned how closely connected and bonded we are around the world, thanks to the Siddha Yoga path website.
I was grateful to hear once again about the effectiveness of positive thoughts, and about the splendor of divine virtues. And I am so grateful to Gurumayi for guiding us to pray for world peace.
Janmadin ki jay jay, Gurumayi ji! Thank you for making my life meaningful and blessed.
a Siddha Yogi from Pune, India
I was attending the
satsang in a small rural area in India, and so many Siddha Yogis came from distant villages to attend. We had four big screens in four halls, and all four halls were full 45 minutes before the
satsang began. When Gurumayi appeared on the screen, everyone was cheering and clapping, and everyone's eyes were wet with tears.
We were all in ecstasy. My eyes didn't move from Gurumayi’s face. Mantra japa started spontaneously in my being, and tears flowed from my eyes. When Gurumayi spoke in Hindi to us, I felt how much she loves us and how she is thinking about us. I was feeling so blessed.
We have such great good fortune to have a living Guru with us.
Thank you, Gurumayi.
a Siddha Yogi from Gandhinagar, India
Gurumayi's Birthday Celebration
satsang began at 8 a.m. in the Siddha Yoga Meditation Center in Tucson. As soon as I saw Gurumayi, I thought my heart would burst. There was so much love in the room, it was electrifying! Then, after about an hour, all the power went out! Someone had an iPad and put it up front on the table next to Gurumayi's chair. A few minutes later, we heard Gurumayi affirming that even if the power went out, we were still connected.
Although Gurumayi is always in my heart, when I saw her in this live video stream, I cried tears of pure joy. When the
satsang was over, it was amazing that no one complained about the blackout or the heat. The room was just filled with love and gratitude, and everyone shared their experiences.
Now I feel a huge desire to spend my time doing more practices.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for sharing your love and joy with all of us.
a Siddha Yogi from Arizona, USA
As
Birthday Bliss unfolded this month, I dedicated myself to cultivating the virtues selected by Gurumayi in
Sadguna Vaibhava. Then, during Gurumayi’s Birthday Celebration
Satsang, Gurumayi spoke about how the virtues she selected have already been shown by Siddha Yogis.
It suddenly dawned on me: "
That includes me! I already express certain virtues!" In the center of my body, I saw a pale golden sphere of swirling energy, streaming bright rays. I realized that it wasn’t new; I was perceiving what was already there.
The day after Gurumayi’s birthday, I attended a large gathering of people I didn’t know. I found myself poised and attuned to recognizing virtuous qualities among everyone present. Awakening to the knowledge that I embody virtues gave me certainty that I’ll discover them in others as well.
a Siddha Yogi from Texas, USA
Gurumayi’s Birthday Celebration Satsang was one of the happiest moments of my
sadhana. My eighty-three-year-old mother accompanied me to the program at the local Center. We walked there hand in hand in the perfectly gorgeous weather we were enjoying that day.
How many times I had prayed for my mother to attend a program and see Gurumayi—and this was the day! And she loved it! The next morning we made a plan to visit the Center again, as soon as possible.
I am so grateful for this special grace answering my deepest heart’s desire, and so grateful to Gurumayi.
a Siddha Yogi from New York, USA
It was so exciting to participate in the live stream
satsang on Gurumayi’s birthday!
During the
satsang, I noticed that when Shri Gurumayi ji was lighting the lamps for the
arati to Bade Baba, at that precise moment it began to rain, heavily, here in Gurudev Siddha Peeth. My heart smiled, and I said to myself, "Blessings from the heavens!" It poured for a few minutes, and then all through the rest of the
satsang, it didn’t rain at all.
As soon as the
satsang concluded, it began raining very, very heavily. All night there was really loud thunder and lightning. It poured and it poured, nonstop, all night. I kept waking up because of the thunder. It felt like the heavens were beating drums loudly and glorifying the supreme Sadguru, my beloved Shri Gurumayi.
a Gurukula student in Gurudev Siddha Peeth
Throughout the live stream
satsang, my tears flowed, and I felt my heart being cleansed. After the
satsang, for the next hour or so, any time I closed my eyes, I saw Gurumayi ji and my heart immediately felt elated.
Any time I have been thinking of Gurumayi ji today, I have seen a shimmery blue light in the center of my vision I feel so renewed and fresh.
Thank you so much, Gurumayi ji, for such a full and blessed experience, for sharing this day with us, for giving us so much. Those three hours with you were so, so precious.
a Siddha Yogi from New York, USA
I was so moved when Gurumayi spoke about the Splendor of Virtues. I feel Gurumayi is able to see our best qualities. She is teaching me to find the goodness in myself and to do my best in all situations.
a Siddha Yogi from Vicenza, Italy
As the live-stream celebration started and Gurumayi appeared, I felt immediate, deep joy and love. My mind was quiet as I listened intently to her words The experience was sublime.
As all of this unfolded, I couldn't help but reflect on how much I have changed in the eight years since I attended my first Siddha Yoga
satsang. My
sadhana has been very subtle, with no dramatic experiences or visions, but I have experienced steady changes toward greater equipoise and contentment. During this celebration, I realized how significant those changes have been!
I am so grateful for Gurumayi’s grace.
a Siddha Yogi from Florida, USA
After attending Gurumayi's Birthday Celebration Satsang in the evening of June 24, I had dinner with my family and went to bed. In my dream Gurumayi ji came to my home with many people—all Swamis. They all looked very happy and excited; they stayed for some time, dancing and rejoicing. They were dressed in saffron-colored attire. I think they were the Swamis I saw in the live video stream.
Then they left, still dancing and rejoicing. I offered my farewell to them. As I turned back inside, I saw someone was still there. It was my beloved Gurumayi! "Gurumayi!" I exclaimed with joy. Standing just in front of me and smiling broadly, she spread her arms wide open, inviting me for a great hug. I went to her with all the love in my heart and she hugged me very tightly. I was filled with so much joy and ecstasy. Then I woke up, in bliss.
What a mesmerizing, sweet, and amazing dream!
a Siddha Yogi from Bhopal, India
I participated in the Birthday Celebration Satsang in Gurudev Siddha Peeth. It was nighttime.
When I had
darshan of Gurumayi, I felt so connected with her. For me it was a kind of meditation with open eyes. When Gurumayi started speaking in Hindi, I felt she was speaking directly with me. I forgot that she was not physically present in Gurudev Siddha Peeth. My whole being was with my Guru throughout the
satsang.
I keep contemplating Gurumayi's words which I received in this
satsang.
Thank you, Gurumayi ji, from the bottom of my heart. I am so fortunate to have you in my life as my Sadguru.
a Gurukula student in Gurudev Siddha Peeth
After the program at the local Siddha Yoga meditation center celebrating Gurumayi's birthday, I was given the garlands to take to a lake next to my home so they could be returned to nature. As I was tossing the flowers into the lake, all the turtles gathered around to join in the sacred moment.
Then, to my surprise, a huge turtle, which I estimated to be about three or four feet long, came into view from the depths of the lake. I have lived here for years and have never seen a turtle this size. As he came to the surface, he stuck out his head from the water and swallowed a rose petal.
As he continued to show his magnificence and swim around the petals , I realized this was perfect for me. I'm so busy and fast-paced most of the time, so this visit from a turtle reminded me to be slower, and to act in a meaningful way and with intention.
Another perfect gift on Gurumayi's birthday.
a Siddha Yogi from Georgia, USA
Our celebration started when we got the news of the Celebration Satsang. We were expecting so many Siddha Yogis to join the
satsang—and it really happened! At the local Center we had arranged four screens in four different halls, and all four halls were completely filled. Everyone was cheering when they saw Gurumayi on the big screen, especially when we saw our beloved Guru dancing and cutting the cake. It was just like being there in Shree Muktananda Ashram.
When Gurumayi was welcoming us in Hindi, so many eyes were filled with tears. This was the one of the best times in my life. I was offering technical
seva, and was responsible for the arrangements for all four screens and for running the Internet smoothly, which can be challenging. But I felt so free during the Satsang and I felt no worry. Even though there were technical problems in streaming at some points, we all felt very easeful because we all knew that we were in the presence of a Siddha.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for your generosity and compassion!
a Siddha Yogi from Gandhinagar, India
I participated with great joy in the live stream Celebration Satsang in the Shakti Nilaya Hall in the Ashram in Oakland. As the Satsang unfolded, I was so grateful and amazed, especially after the part where Gurumayi told us she was having
satsang with many of us in her dreams.
That was when I remembered a dream I had had a week before, in which I was having
satsang with Gurumayi! In the dream there were many people enjoying a beautiful garden, and Gurumayi was walking around, laughing and talking with each of us. I remember waving to her very enthusiastically, and she waved right back! At one point as I was watching her walk toward me, a huge ball of white light engulfed me and I found myself down on the ground, offering a full
pranam. This is when I woke up, and quickly wrote down the dream in my journal.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for this tremendous blessing.
a Siddha Yogi from California, USA