Teachings to Live By
20
~ Baba Muktananda
To listen to a dharana and meditate on Baba’s teaching, click the “play” icon.
Spoken in English by Walker Jones
हिन्दी में धारणा-वाचन : आशीष व्यास
Engaging with Baba’s “Teachings to Live By” each day has become a highlight of my daily practice.
As I followed the dharana on today’s teaching, I saw Baba Muktananda in my mind’s eye. I was drawn to the way he gesticulates when he speaks and the expressiveness of his face. I saw pure joy in Baba; he was full of love and devotion. Then I realized that I, too, am full of joy, love, and devotion.
Baba made me smile inside! I imagined him next to me, patting me on the shoulder as if to say, “You are doing well, my dear.”
As I followed the dharana on today’s teaching, I saw Baba Muktananda in my mind’s eye. I was drawn to the way he gesticulates when he speaks and the expressiveness of his face. I saw pure joy in Baba; he was full of love and devotion. Then I realized that I, too, am full of joy, love, and devotion.
Baba made me smile inside! I imagined him next to me, patting me on the shoulder as if to say, “You are doing well, my dear.”
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
As the dharana began, I envisioned the blue light that Baba revealed to me when I received shaktipat. I wasn’t sure how to worship this light. Then the light opened into a vision of Gurumayi. This led me to understand that offering seva with love is my particular form of worship.
The next day, someone I work with was not correctly doing their end of a shared task, making my end more difficult. Spontaneously, I saw her as I would one of my beloved nieces, and I experienced love for her.
I have written the intention to offer seva with love on a card next to my computer, and I have renewed my commitment to study Gurumayi’s writings on the practice of seva.
The next day, someone I work with was not correctly doing their end of a shared task, making my end more difficult. Spontaneously, I saw her as I would one of my beloved nieces, and I experienced love for her.
I have written the intention to offer seva with love on a card next to my computer, and I have renewed my commitment to study Gurumayi’s writings on the practice of seva.
Massachusetts, United States
In this dharana, for me God took the form of a velvety white full moon. She was surrounded by clouds creating many fascinating and mysterious shapes constantly moving around her. As I was watching the scene, the moon slowly left the sky and entered my heart with so much sweetness! I placed my hands over my heart to welcome and to protect her. Then the Guru’s sandals adorned with flower petals appeared in the center of the moon. I was deeply moved to experience the presence of the padukas within my own being. Then the image of the full moon and the padukas faded away, and my attention was pulled toward the sound of the tamboura. Each note corresponded to a syllable of the mantra Om Guru Om, repeating itself endlessly within me in a wave of pure love and grace.
Québec, Canada
I thought of many forms of God, and then my favorite one appeared: the Blue Pearl. Through the years I have seen this beautiful essence of everything.
Mexico City, Mexico
The first image that came to me was a mighty oak tree. I offered its attributes to God—the shade it provides on a warm day, the soft cooling breezes that move through it, the shelter it provides for so many animals, birds, and insects, the food it provides for so many— all this having grown from a tiny acorn. Then I was overcome with a feeling of humility in my offering, and the thought came to me: “Even the mighty oak bows down to God.”
Florida, United States