Today I recited
Shri Guru Gita with the awareness that I was participating in the momentous celebration of the Golden Anniversary of the recitation of
Shri Guru Gita on the Siddha Yoga path. I prepared by following the instructions about maintaining a steady posture and keeping my focus on the alive mantras.
I had a wondrous experience during the recitation. While watching the images, I was first delighted to receive
darshan of Bade Baba’s murti in the Temple. As I gazed at the beautiful offerings all around Bade Baba, I felt that his glance was directed at me. I experienced the calm, still, unmoving glance of Shri Guru. I was overjoyed and filled with gratitude at receiving the
prasad of Shri Guru’s beneficent glance. In that pure, exquisite exchange, I knew that Shri Guru had accepted my heartfelt prayer in the form of my recitation of
Shri Guru Gita.
I am so grateful for this beautiful
satsang which deepened my understanding of the power of
Shri Guru Gita.
New York, United States
The day before the recitation of
Shri Guru Gita, I looked up the word ”listen” in the search box on the Siddha Yoga path website. I found a talk by Swami Akhandananda, “Listen Attentively
,” which I studied in preparation for reciting
Shri Guru Gita. As I participated in the anniversary recitation, I made an intention to really focus and listen to the voices and the music. By the end of the recitation, I was drawn within and felt at peace and full of light.
Florida, United States
What a wonderful way to start the new year!
I am blessed to be living with two Siddha Yogis. As the three of us were participating in the Golden Anniversary of
Shri Guru Gita Recitation Webcast, beautiful snow was falling outside the window behind our
puja. I was so excited, I was reciting the mantras with a lot of energy and quite loudly! Then I remembered Gurumayi's Message for 2022, and I began to listen to the other two chanters. I was able to temper my enthusiasm just enough so I could hear the other voices and blend mine with theirs. It was wonderful!
Now I know I can practice Gurumayi's Message every time I offer
Shri Guru Gita or chant.
Massachusetts, United States
On the night of December 16, 2021, a Category 4 typhoon hit the Philippines. I was alone in the house, in the dark. The glass doors vibrated to a breaking point in the fearsome power of the wind. Objects hit and crashed against the sides of the house with deafening sound. I was afraid the tall trees on my property would fall on my roof. I was scared!
Then and there, in pitch darkness, I turned on
Shri Guru Gita on my mobile phone and chanted as loud as I could to drown out the intense sounds of the wind! I focused on
Shri Guru Gita until all I could hear were the verses of the sacred text, all the while asking for the Guru's protection.
When the churning of the winds finally subsided, I found myself surrounded by fallen trees and debris blown from afar. But I was safe and sound, my house and roof intact, and all living creatures under my care uninjured.
Cebu City, Philippines
It is a delight for me to read the experiences of the Golden Anniversary of
Shri Guru Gita Recitation from Siddha Yogis from around the world! Their shares shed light on the many facets of each moment, each element of the recitation. As I read these deeply moving shares, I relive more fully my own experience of the same recitation!
Gurudev Siddha Peeth, India
During the recitation of
Shri Guru Gita on January 7, 2022, I felt that I was part of something bigger, encompassing and connecting me to the Guru and her students around the world. It was a touching experience and made me feel so grateful!
Luzern, Switzerland
For twenty-three years I have been reciting
Shri Guru Gita regularly almost every Sunday. When I became ill with COVID-19, I lost my voice and was not able to continue. And so I fell out of the habit.
During the recitation for the Golden Anniversary, my voice came back in full! It was like reuniting with a close, beloved friend.
New Mexico, United States
I have been reciting
Shri Guru Gita for the past twenty-five years. There have been good times and not-so-good times during these years. But as I sit every morning and recite the sacred text, any situation becomes miniscule in the presence of the powerful
shakti of the mantras.
The fruits of my practice are profound! I can perceive the Guru’s love in the people I meet. I am more focused in my work and more dedicated to my
sadhana. I have become more conscious and loving toward my family. I enjoy my responsibilities, no longer seeing them as a burden. I feel blissful so much of the time.
I am truly blessed to have the Guru's grace .
Delhi, India
The Golden Anniversary of
Shri Guru Gita Recitation Webcast arrived exactly when I needed it most! Throughout the recitation, I felt wrapped in the shawl of Guru’s love, protection, and
shakti. With each verse I felt I was receiving the strength of heart to overcome a difficult time in my life.
Roma, Italy
This morning I listened to the webcast of the fiftieth anniversary celebration of Shri Guru Gita and was delighted to discover that reciting Shri Guru Gita is a excellent practice with which to imbibe and put into practice Gurumayi's Message for 2022.
I have always found the recitation of Shri Guru Gita to be a source of blessings. However, there have been many verses I did not understand. This morning during the recitation I heard Gurumayi within me saying, “Just listen.” As I continued to listen within to the recitation and repeat the verses externally, I began to feel an enlightenment entering my body, as if understanding were being imparted on a deeper level than my ordinary mind.
I feel excited at the prospect of continuing to apply this lesson in “just listening” to the teachings of the Guru through my recitations of Shri Guru Gita.
Arizona, United States
I began learning and reciting Shri Guru Gita in earnest on my birthday in 2016. Since then, it has become my “constant companion” and a wish-fulfilling tree in my sadhana.
Still, there is something special about reciting this sacred scripture with others. Reciting it together as a global sangham on January 7 via live video stream was sublime. So many strong feelings came up for me—about global harmony, blessings to the world, the Guru’s protection and grace, and so much more! Then, to have the opportunity to recite Shri Guru Gita again today with the webcast and reconnect with that same energy—only as an even warmer blanket around me—was glorious.
I am so grateful to Baba and Gurumayi for their generous gift of this precious scripture. I continue to be amazed at the blessings it offers with each recitation. I recite it nearly every day with the hope that the whole world receives its blessings.
Florida, United States
My son joined my wife and me in reciting Shri Guru Gita for the Golden Anniversary Satsang. I was surprised at how well he knew it. He explained it was because he has heard it so much over the years, even though he had not recited it when attending Siddha Yoga Retreats in years past.
It was all totally natural reciting all together on this golden morning. Hours later, as I walked into the kitchen where the rest of the family was sitting, I noticed a light and peace pervading the room unlike any I had seen or felt when we were all together before.
May this blanket of peace and light descend on everyone in the world as we all recite Shri Guru Gita.
Washington, United States
I had been struggling with making an important medical decision for the past eleven months. Suggestions came and went, but nothing felt right and I didn’t know what to do. During Sweet Surprise I felt Gurumayi speaking right to me. When I focused deeply on her words, I saw I needed to wait longer to make a decision, and was able to feel relaxed about that.
This morning, before we recited Shri Guru Gita, I heard this part of Gurumayi’s Message inwardly: “Make...prayers.” I formulated a clear prayer to receive clarity and guidance about what to do and when, and let go of any expectations about “getting results.”
A few hours after our recitation, I received a call from a physician I hadn’t yet consulted with. He gave me all the information I needed, told me exactly what I somehow knew to be true, and suggested a very clear path to follow. I view this extraordinary turn of events as a gift of the grace in Gurumayi's Message together with the power of the recitation of
Shri Guru Gita by the global
sangham. Gurumayi's words, her grace, and her protection are truly unfathomable. I am so grateful.
New York, United States
This beautiful satsang is very powerful. The images shown in the live video stream of the sacred mantras of Shri Guru Gita that Baba had had engraved in copper on a wall in Gurudev Siddha Peeth made a big impression on me, as a reflection of the power of these mantras. I also loved seeing Bade Baba in the Temple. His darshan is such a blessing.
I have been reciting Shri Guru Gita along with the webcast and it has been like a Shaktipat Intensive for me—my heart keeps opening and I am reminded of the strength of the Guru's presence and grace. I pray to always have this depth of devotion.
Washington, United States
Participating in the Golden Anniversary Satsang today took me back to my first Shaktipat Intensive in January 1998 in Palm Springs. When I entered the hall and first saw Gurumayi for the first time, she was seated and smiling at everyone. The hall had only two vacant seats left; I sat in one just a few rows from Gurumayi. As I look back now, I can see that moment was really the beginning of my relationship with the Guru.
Today, listening to everyone reciting Shri Guru Gita, an image formed in my mind of the words being precious gems strung together, connecting us all to an immeasurably deep and enduring wisdom, originating a very long time ago yet having lost none of its freshness. When I brought my attention to my memory of sitting so close to Gurumayi those twenty-four years ago, a beautiful golden energy descended from her, filling my mind and settling in my open heart.
I am deeply grateful for today's Golden Anniversary Satsang.
London, United Kingdom
I have been reciting Shri Guru Gita for many years but today’s recitation was special. As we recited it, my being was filled with joyful energy and the words came forth with ease and precision.
During the recitation, I focused on the words with great attention and it felt like gems of understanding were being revealed within me. I became aware of the many different ways we can relate to the Guru, as passages that had previously seemed remote to me became alive with meaning.
Since the recitation, I have returned to reread the English translation for inspiration and to deepen my understanding of the Guru-disciple relationship.
Vancouver, Canada
On this morning of January 7, I was amazed to see many birds in my garden. I hadn’t seen them since the beginning of winter and their visit filled my heart with the joyful presence of God. Soon after, snowflakes began to cover the landscape, like silent words descending from Mount Kailas. I was sure that had I “unzipped” this silence, I would have heard the dialogue between Lord Shiva and Parvati.
In the afternoon, I was ready to celebrate the Golden Anniversary of Shri Guru Gita. This svadhyaya feast was a bandhara for my body, my senses, my mind, and my heart. Looking at Bade Baba and the bright faces of the Siddha Yogis in the Temple, I saw Kundalini Shakti shining throughout the Temple.
When the video was briefly interrupted, I recited on my own, noticing how my cells had absorbed this sacred text after so many regular recitations. Nevertheless, I was very happy to receive Lord Shiva’s grace in the form of the video’s resumption, returning me to Bade Baba’s Temple.
Rodez, France
I felt that the last line of Gurumayi's Message for 2022, “May you always be most fortunate” has already become manifest at this morning's breathtaking live video stream! We use the words exquisite and sublime so frequently on our beautiful Siddha Yoga Path—because those states are our reality!
Participating in the “Golden Anniversary of Shri Guru Gita Recitation" via live video stream gave me the direct experience of the concluding line from Gurumayi’s Message. What could be better than being together all over the world, while reciting Shri Guru Gita in Bade Baba's golden Temple? In addition, we all had the chance to hear the extraordinarily talented Siddha Yoga music ensemble, and to watch as the radiant pujari offered arati with such pure devotion.
Nevada, United States
Chanting
Shri Guru Gita in the Siddha Yoga Universal Hall felt like being totally immersed in the divine protection of Shri Guru’s grace and unconditional love. My soul feels cleansed, nurtured, and protected. It felt to me like we were given the opportunity to bathe in the sweetest golden river of divine grace, which is constantly flowing on our Siddha Yoga path. Truly, we are most fortunate to have received this
mahaprasad.
Pune, India
To me, Shri Guru Gita is a most precious jewel in the ever-overflowing treasure chest of divine, life-changing gifts bestowed by the Siddha Yoga Gurus.
Shri Guru Gita changes my state and saves my life on a daily basis. During and after today's recitation, celebrating the Golden Anniversary of Baba Muktananda’s giving us this gift, I felt showered by grace, very serene, connected to my heart, and as if I were “walking on air.”
I am so grateful for having been given this extraordinary practice and having its text available in translation so I can learn to understand its teachings, as well as being given the sublime opportunity to practice reciting it together in the Siddha Yoga Universal Hall with Siddha Yoga students from around the globe.
California, United States
This Golden Anniversary Satsang was such a sublime opportunity for me to experience ecstasy. At the start I decided to set an intention for world peace before the recitation of Shri Guru Gita.
For technological reasons my grandmother and I couldn’t receive all of the live video stream. At first, I started to lose track of my intention and the love in my heart for this practice. Immediately I remembered Gurumayi’s Message for 2022, and I heard an inner voice say, “Stay tuned. Go with the flow. Do not allow anything to disturb your inner state.” And so I kept myself “tuned” after that. Although somewhere in the corner of my mind was some nervousness, in my heart I felt much love. I experienced magnificent, auspicious energy in my entire being, which I am still feeling as I write this.
Bhandara, India
Because the Golden Anniversary Satsang took place at 2 a.m. in Melbourne, Australia, at first I thought I might just listen to Shri Guru Gita being recited and let it wash through me as I lay in bed in the still of the night. However, my body wasn’t comfortable lying down. Instead of feeling sleepy, I felt wide awake—like I had just come out of a cool water pool. I followed the beautiful instructions to prepare to sit for the recitation—and found my body had already made itself ready. My body intelligence knew something truly auspicious was about to take place!
Gurumayi's Message for 2022 was alive in my awareness throughout the satsang. I took my time to “Make...prayers” not just for myself and my own people, but for the planet. What a sacred time and space to offer them!
After reciting Shri Guru Gita, I felt cleansed and pure of mind and heart. And as we watched the camphor flame dance, I experienced myself as the energy of this sacred golden light.
South Melbourne, Australia
As the delicate snow fell on the golden peak of the Temple, I felt as if I were in Gurudev Siddha Peeth on the very day Baba inaugurated this sacred practice. I saw Baba take his seat. I felt time extend backwards and I traveled with it. It was a very beautiful and mystical experience to see the snow falling and simultaneously “be” in India!
Lately, as well as today, when I am reciting Shri Guru Gita, all of a sudden I hear Gurumayi’s voice booming out of me for several verses. When my response today was to feel that I missed the physical form of the Guru, I heard Gurumayi say from within, “Aren't I right here?” as she pointed to my heart.
I feel such gratitude for the Siddha Yoga path.
Connecticut, United States
My elderly mother's bedroom is right above my studio, which is the room I use to participate in satsangs via live video stream because it has the best Wi-Fi signal. I love that my mom awoke this morning to the gentle vibrations of Shri Guru Gita quietly moving through the house. She doesn't know what it means, but feels the sweetness of it.
Shri Guru Gita is an integral part of my life, like a best friend who always gives the best advice.
West Vancouver, Canada
While reciting Shri Guru Gita, I sometimes become distracted and frustrated by my efforts to breathe at the places we have been guided to. Today, during the Golden Anniversary Satsang, I paid more attention to listening to each syllable while I was reciting, and also while the alternate lines were recited by others. As I practiced this, I noticed that my breathing became appropriate and effortless.
I am very grateful to have had this deeply moving, heartwarming opportunity to recite Shri Guru Gita with other beloved Siddha Yoga students in the Siddha Yoga Universal Hall.
New Jersey, United States
As the recitation of Shri Guru Gita started during the Golden Anniversary Satsang, it simultaneously started to rain here in Indore in central India. It continued as we chanted Muktananda Mahan, as we sang Shri Guru Paduka Panchakam, and as we recited Shri Guru Gita. Then, when we took a pause for meditation, the rain stopped. It was like the rain was following the schedule for Shri Guru Gita.
Indore, India
Baba was at play for sure this morning!
I thought I was fully prepared for the recitation of Shri Guru Gita via live video stream today. But I’d forgotten how Baba likes to play. So—surprise! For technological reasons, I was able to receive only small parts of the Golden Anniversary Satsang. To my surprise, I stayed very calm, and suddenly decided to just let go. I continued reciting the verses without the live video stream, and just stayed focused on the Sanskrit text.
What happened next is another part of the miracle. I became really indrawn and extremely peaceful, and entered into a total state of love and unity with Baba. I realized once more that Baba is eternally present, here and now, bestowing his grace abundantly.
Montreal, Canada
Sublime prasad from our Gurus streamed into my house here in Hawaii in the form of the Golden Anniversary Satsang on the fiftieth anniversary of Baba’s introducing Shri Guru Gita into the Ashram Daily Schedule. Gratitude is scintillating in my being and I am in a state of adoration and peacefulness.
Hawaii, United States
During the Golden Anniversary Satsang, I recited Shri Guru Gita with an active focus on listening to the other voices reciting the other two lines. As my ears listened and my eyes moved, connecting with each syllable of Shri Guru Gita, I noticed how my mind became the witness. It quietly witnessed my act of listening, my recitation, and also a few thoughts that came and went. No feelings. No commentary. No judgments. No expectations.
In this way, today's satsang proved to be a wonderful opportunity for me to practice Gurumayi's Message for 2022.
Thane West, India
How beautiful it was to be able to recite Shri Guru Gita today live in Bade Baba's Temple together with the Siddha Yoga global sangham!
As the recitation began, I felt my heart bursting open as if a strong blazing fire had been lit inside of me—a fire of love. And as I listened very carefully to the words and musical tones during the recitation, I had the understanding that
Shri Guru Gita is like a necklace of perfect, immaculate pearls that together form a necklace of perfection and harmony. And we are the pearls of that necklace.
Marval, France
What an exquisite Siddha Yoga celebration this was! As my gaze took in the photographs of Mount Kailas that were shown before the satsang began, I became aware of the enormity of this celebration and its significance. I had a deep appreciation for the sacred text we were about to recite, and also for the way in which the text and the recitation practice were being revered. I understood that we were about to honor and worship a sacred text that had been written in worship of Shri Guru.
I am so grateful to Baba for giving us this uplifting and profound practice!
Guildford, United Kingdom
I loved participating in this satsang in honor of the fiftieth anniversary of Shri Guru Gita! I am so grateful for this new opportunity to keep exploring the beauty and power of Gurumayi's Message for 2022.
During the satsang I was able to listen to more layers in the voices and music while remembering the power of Siddha Yoga musicianship. And I also listened deeply to my inner Self, which brought the word niranjanam, “stainless,” to my awareness a number of times, reminding me of my own purity.
I could sense the Siddha Yoga global sangham reciting around the world, especially in those verses that we all recite together. I felt the recitation was being offered to our beautiful planet and especially to humanity.
Naucalpan, Mexico
In Gurumayi’s Message for 2022, Gurumayi tells us “Make...prayers.” I was wondering, “Do I know how to pray?”
Then, early this morning I felt the urge to recite Shri Guru Gita. I had not consciously remembered that it was the Golden Anniversary of Shri Guru Gita Recitation. After I had set an intention for the world and was reciting Shri Guru Gita, I realized, “This is one way that Gurumayi has taught us to pray!”
I am grateful for this insight.
Versailles, France