January 6, 2023

Dear reader,

Namaste.

On New Year’s Day 2023, in keeping with the tradition that Gurumayi Chidvilasananda has established on the Siddha Yoga path, we received the Message that Gurumayi imparted to us for the year.

Every word of Gurumayi’s Message is deeply valuable. Many people have shared with me their experience that Gurumayi’s Message for 2023 encompasses all the Siddha Yoga teachings—that it distills the very essence of those teachings. When they first heard Gurumayi give this Message, they felt that it lit up the shrine of their hearts. And as they have continued to participate in Sweet Surprise and meditate on Gurumayi’s Message, they are discovering the depths of meaning that the words of the Message hold.

Tomorrow, Saturday, January 7, is another occasion of great import on the Siddha Yoga path. It marks the 51st anniversary of when Baba Muktananda established the recitation of Shri Guru Gita as part of the Ashram Daily Schedule in Gurudev Siddha Peeth. On this day in 1972, Siddha Yogis received a maha-blessing from their Guru—a scripture that imparts profound wisdom about the nature of the Guru and the Guru Principle, and that gives disciples direction for how to follow the path the Guru shows. Everything that one needs to know about the Guru-disciple relationship is contained in this sacred text.

You may remember that in the letter I wrote at the end of last year, acknowledging you for your generous response to my suggestion that you write poetry about Gurumayi’s Season's Greetings, I spoke about how you would be entering the new year as poets. And as many of you are aware, in the Sanskrit language, Shri Guru Gita means “song of the Guru.” This song is recited by the greatest of all divine poets—Lord Shiva—to his beloved goddess Parvati.

Although this letter is coming to you on short notice, I know that many of you will have already reserved this auspicious date to recite Shri Guru Gita. And often in years past, this recitation—the satsang honoring the anniversary of this sacred text—has been held over live video stream in the Siddha Yoga Universal Hall. I want you to know that this is what will be happening tomorrow as well.

The Shri Guru Gita recitation satsang will begin at 10:30 a.m. New York time on the Siddha Yoga path website. If you are unable to participate then—due to the time difference, or for any other reason—the satsang will be available on the website for a few days afterward, so that you may participate at your convenience.

Let’s connect in the Siddha Yoga Universal Hall.

Sincerely,

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Eesha Sardesai

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