Teachings to Live By
7
~ Baba Muktananda
To listen to a dharana and meditate on Baba’s teaching, click the “play” icon.
Spoken in English by Reshma Burkhard
हिन्दी में धारणा-वाचन : राशि चौधरी
Guided by this dharana to recall a moment of deep happiness, I immediately thought that in my thirty-five years on the Siddha Yoga path, there have been so many. Here is my most recent one.
Last November I went to Gurudev Siddha Peeth for the first time. I was very afraid of the plane trip, which was to be sixteen hours with the stopovers and the flights. I prayed to Gurumayi to support me in facing this fear, and for the entire journey I was calm. I felt unusual enthusiasm and courage. I was very moved by this and said to myself, “You know that Gurumayi is accompanying you, right? She listened to you!”
When I reached my long-awaited destination, I thought, “This is happiness, and it’s right here at hand!” When I entered the Ashram, my heart overflowed with joy and a sense of familiarity. I felt such gratitude for finally arriving at the home of my Master and for finding myself completely at ease.
Now, every day is becoming a day of happiness.
Last November I went to Gurudev Siddha Peeth for the first time. I was very afraid of the plane trip, which was to be sixteen hours with the stopovers and the flights. I prayed to Gurumayi to support me in facing this fear, and for the entire journey I was calm. I felt unusual enthusiasm and courage. I was very moved by this and said to myself, “You know that Gurumayi is accompanying you, right? She listened to you!”
When I reached my long-awaited destination, I thought, “This is happiness, and it’s right here at hand!” When I entered the Ashram, my heart overflowed with joy and a sense of familiarity. I felt such gratitude for finally arriving at the home of my Master and for finding myself completely at ease.
Now, every day is becoming a day of happiness.
Naples, Italy
I have been finding happiness as I practice pausing between each activity. When I take each pause, I focus on So’ham for five rounds of breathing. I have experienced that happiness is invariably right there.
Washington, United States
I am especially grateful to receive the supportive posture guidance in the dharana that accompanies each teaching from Baba. I find myself naturally linking this postural guidance to that offered in the first workshop of Embodying Gurumayi’s Message for 2024. In this way, I sense how the teachings are alive, continually offering fresh perspective, nuance, and depth. I experience timelessness, the eternal nature of the teachings; Baba’s teachings and Gurumayi’s Message dance together in me.
Rhode Island, United States
These dharanas are so powerful. They give me a direct experience of Baba ji’s teachings and connect me to my heart. These dharanas make Baba ji’s teachings so alive and tangible for me.
Goa, India
These daily dharanas have created such a perfect morning practice. I have particularly enjoyed the meditations afterwards. Today I went back to the seventh teaching and relished various memories of offering seva at Shree Muktananda Ashram. I can access the delight and the lovely, gentle glow I felt and can feel now whenever I offer seva. I am so grateful to be reminded of the natural happiness that arises within and to know that I can access this happiness at any time, at all times. How wondrous and delightful! Throughout my day, when I remember to turn within, there that happiness is—right there, just ready to be remembered. It is so easeful and natural. I breathe more easily, and my heart is very happy.
New York, United States
I am immensely enjoying reading and meditating on each of these teachings from Baba. This one, in particular, has given me such contentment. In its directness, I have found clear instruction. It makes me want to fling my arms up and dance. Contemplating it has made me recognize that I already own the happiness it describes. This simple joy sits within me, as me. My job is to keep remembering that truth.
Hampton Hill, United Kingdom
Baba’s teaching that happiness comes from within is so profound for me. I felt this “divine happiness” when I practiced the dharana and focused on my heart region.
What a gift it is to know and remember that my happiness does not come from the outer world, from my accomplishments, relationships, material items, or fulfillment of desires, but from inside myself.
What a gift it is to know and remember that my happiness does not come from the outer world, from my accomplishments, relationships, material items, or fulfillment of desires, but from inside myself.
California, United States
I always enjoy listening to the dharanas and meditating afterward.
For me, Baba’s teachings are nuggets of gold, drenched in sweet love. I cannot imagine receiving Baba’s teachings in a more loving and compassionate way. I feel the teachings becoming deeply anchored in me, and I am infinitely grateful for them as they uplift me and make my life more easeful.
For me, Baba’s teachings are nuggets of gold, drenched in sweet love. I cannot imagine receiving Baba’s teachings in a more loving and compassionate way. I feel the teachings becoming deeply anchored in me, and I am infinitely grateful for them as they uplift me and make my life more easeful.
Unterlangenegg, Switzerland