December 18, 2021
Dear reader,
Happy holidays!
The holiday season has always been one of my favorite times of year. For me, this season evokes the scents of evergreen and pine; the sounds of bells and carols; the warm sweetness of hot chocolate. Most of all, I love that at this time people all over the world come together to celebrate the birth of a great being and to revere and give thanks to God.
In my experience, the Christmas holiday, coupled with the colder weather in many parts of the world, elicits a longing for warmth both physical and spiritual. Each time this season comes around, I look around at the streets glowing with shimmering lights and the warm smiles adorning the faces of almost everyone I walk past, and a childlike joy fills my being. I feel waves and waves of love washing over me. Love for God, love for my Guru, love for everyone around me.
I often find myself wishing to go deeper into this feeling, to develop an even better understanding of my own Self, so that this love and oneness can be a more continuous experience in my life. I have learned from my study of Gurumayi Chidvilasananda’s teachings that this love, which may feel especially present during the holidays, is available to us at all times.
This is one reason why I am always eager to participate in Siddha Yoga satsang; in the sacred space of satsang, I have found support for my inner exploration. And it is why I am so delighted to share with you that we will have the opportunity to participate in a Siddha Yoga satsang in honor of Christmas.
The name of the satsang is
Trust, Yearning & Understanding
This satsang will be available on the Siddha Yoga path website from Tuesday evening, December 21, 2021 until Friday, December 31, 2021. It will include
- Offering worship by singing the arati
- Listening to stories about God
- Chanting in praise of God and practicing Siddha Yoga meditation
If at any time during the satsang you need to take a pause, you may do so by clicking the “pause” button on the video and then resuming when you are ready.
One of the things I love about Siddha Yoga satsang is that there is something in it for everyone. We are all at different stages in our search, in our sadhana, in our attainments; we all have our own relationship with our Guru, and for each of us that relationship is at a different stage. And yet, we will each have our own transformational experience during Siddha Yoga satsang. It is the same satsang that everyone participates in, yet the divine magic that happens in satsang is unique for every one of us.
I have grown up following the Siddha Yoga path, and this is something I’ve experienced firsthand from the satsangs I’ve participated in throughout my life. I have many sweet memories of leaving the meditation hall after a satsang and turning to the others to ask how their experience was. While we all would have participated in the same satsang, each person would inevitably have a different insight or experience to share. For some, a certain teaching they received during the satsang may have made a deep impression. For others, the meditation may have been illuminating or even transcendent, giving them a glimpse of their own Self. For others still, the chant may have been especially ecstatic, textured by longing notes from the harmonium and resonant voices full of devotion.
Each time I get ready to participate in satsang, my heart flutters in anticipation, wondering what new insights and experiences will emerge for me to then carry forward in my sadhana. This feeling arises within my being once again as I think about this year’s Christmas celebration on the Siddha Yoga path. I can’t wait to join you all as, together, we honor this holiday and invoke God’s presence in the best way I know: by participating in satsang.
With warm regards,
Vanita Borwankar
I love this time of the year! I take myself on a quiet retreat and spend time alone in nature. I become still—doing my practices, completing the year, and laying the foundations for the coming year. I am excited to participate in the
satsang, for I know it will bring a deeper focus to this quiet retreat of mine.
Queenstown, New Zealand
“Joy to the world!” What an incredible gift for Christmas 2021—a Siddha Yoga satsang! And not for just one day at one time—but for ten whole days, whenever we want to dive in. I am especially grateful for this gift at the culmination of this profoundly challenging year—which has also been supremely nourishing, thanks to the many blessings bestowed on us by Gurumayi.
During this time, I will be able to immerse myself again and again in the Siddha Yoga teachings and practices that have become such a foundation for my life. I so appreciate the enthusiasm in this letter—not only for the sparkling holiday season, but also for the magnificent phenomenon known as “satsang.” I agree completely! What an extraordinary way for us to nourish our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls—and also to share our experiences and insights with each other and the whole world! This is true “comfort and joy” in this holiday season.
New York, United States
Any time I hear an announcement that there will be a Siddha Yoga satsang, my heart bursts with joy and anticipation! I always know I will come away with a renewed connection to my own divine Self and a renewed commitment to the Siddha Yoga practices. I am so grateful to Gurumayi for each and every satsang over the years!
Massachusetts, United States
I'm so thrilled there will be a Siddha Yoga
satsang in honor of Christmas. At this time when we are not able to join together in person for
satsang at the local Siddha Yoga meditation centers and chanting and meditation groups, I feel a profound feeling of relief at being able to come together as one
sangham in the Siddha Yoga Universal Hall to sing God's praises and experience God's divine energy together
.
Guelph, Canada
I’d been feeling little of the Christmas spirit this month although I usually am so excited and upbeat in December. Now I just read about this Christmas satsang and I know what I have been missing: satsang. I'm so excited to be able to participate in this Christmas satsang.
Florida, United States
I enjoyed reading this invitation to the satsang in honor of the Christmas holiday. I very much relate to the description of the experience of the holiday season as one that evokes love and joy—and the knowledge that it is possible to experience it all the time.
I am filled with sweet anticipation of the gift of our global community coming together in satsang!
Colorado, United States
I was so glad and grateful to hear there will be a Christmas satsang. It makes my heart sing! With the pandemic continuing, the Siddha Yoga path website presents more than a much-needed bright spot. I'm so energized at the thought of being able to be together at this special time in this special way.
Hawaii, United States
My heart leaps to learn of the Christmas satsang! It is the answer to my prayer—this wonderful event where Siddha Yogis merge in their love for our Guru and this path.
California, United States