A few months after I received shaktipat diksha in an Intensive with Gurumayi in Heidelberg, Germany, I traveled to Gurudev Siddha Peeth in January 1989, longing to be in Gurumayi’s presence once again. Participating in the ashram daily schedule in the shakti-filled environment of that holy place, I felt immersed all day long in a deep, joyful, light-filled state of being.
Until one day, a disquieting feeling of unworthiness began to surface from within. I knew this feeling was connected with a major work project at home, about which I had a lot of doubts. The persistent heaviness in my heart kept urging me to face the situation. And so at last, I decided to ask Gurumayi directly for guidance. Since this would actually be the first time I would be speaking to Gurumayi in person, I wanted to be very clear and concise about what I wished to say. So I prepared my question carefully and one morning, during darshan time, I felt ready.
As I moved forward on the darshan line, step by step, I felt that I was entering the inner sanctum of the Guru’s love. When it was my turn, I bowed and started to speak. I explained what my project was and the doubts I was having about being able to complete it. Gurumayi listened with great attention, looking into my eyes as I spoke. It seemed that she was seeing into the depth of my being. Then, with a strong, calm voice, she said: “Do it with enthusiasm.” Just that. Four words—a simple, unexpected command.
I felt the power in Gurumayi’s words resonating deep within, and I had the certainty that she had given me the key to overcome my dilemma. Yet her answer was also puzzling to me: at that time, I understood enthusiasm to be a kind of spontaneous excitement triggered by external, pleasurable circumstances. And the project I had told her about did not seem to me to be anything to get excited about!
Back home in my daily routine, I started consciously engaging with Gurumayi’s teaching. I would repeat to myself “Do it with enthusiasm” while sitting for my morning meditation. I also wrote the teaching on a piece of paper which I kept on my computer while working on the project. And I began to notice that, slowly but surely, those simple acts of planting the Guru’s words in the field of my awareness would put me in touch with a quiet space within, full of energy and strength. From there, I could look at the project in a more detached, proactive manner.
The different pieces of the project that I had not been able to handle before started to fall naturally into the right place, and a few months later the project was completed. I was happy and serene about the decisions I had made. I realized that by following Gurumayi’s teaching, I had accessed a boundless inner space where problems cease to be perceived as problems and can be faced in a more active, productive, enthusiastic way.
Gurumayi’s teaching became the gauge with which to measure my approach to different aspects of my life, including spiritual practices. I started noticing that I had an underlying habit of “giving up” on the practices at the first sign of difficulty. This would affect, for example, my meditations. When a meditation session seemed to be leading nowhere, I would simply give up and go do something else. As I practiced remembrance, instead of giving up I would recall Gurumayi saying, “Do it with enthusiasm”—and I would renew my intention to stay with the practice and go deeper.
Inspired by Gurumayi’s teaching, I now choose to adopt an attitude of discovery and genuine interest in my routine tasks and daily interactions, as well as in my practices. When I do this with attention and intention, I experience new nuances of enthusiasm. And I notice that bringing a fresh “beginner’s mind” to very familiar situations gives much more energy and lightness to my approach to things.
It has become clear over the years that when I “do it with enthusiasm,” an inner shift always happens, opening me to new levels of experience and understanding. At such times I become filled with wonder and gratitude at the constant presence of Gurumayi’s grace in my life and at the unfailing, transformative power of the Guru’s words.
The section of the company I work with is gradually closing down, and I have been applying for another job for months. The job application world is noisy with concepts of “Sell yourself,” “Stand out from the crowd,” and “Get ahead in the competition.” All this has made me feel very tense, unworthy, and resistant. I don’t wish to take this approach to be able to work for a living.
Then I read Leonardo’s Reflection on Gurumayi, and it pierced my heart. His experience with Gurumayi’s command “Do it with enthusiasm” was the torch I needed to light up my inner and outer situation.
From now on, while applying for jobs and appearing for interviews, I will present the enthusiasm of my heart along with my skills. My effort and sincerity in bringing the enthusiasm in my heart into everything I do are all part of my unique inner
shakti. As I write this share, I can see my sense of unworthiness evaporating and I feel strengthened for the future.
Sydney, Australia
The way the Guru’s grace touched Leonardo’s heart brought me to tears. His commitment to establish a steady, unwavering practice during his daily duties is a beautiful and strong example to me of discipleship.
Rome, Italy
It is inspiring to read about Leonardo’s experience of learning to live with enthusiasm. As a Siddha Yoga student, I’ve come to know that feeling of living in the moment with an awakened sense of wonder. I sometimes experience enthusiasm as a divine energy that fills my being, enabling fresh perspective on the world—a sense of remaining inquisitive, nonjudgmental, and open to my inner being and the world as well.
Pune, India
Leonardo’s refreshing Reflection inspired me to start my day with enthusiasm. I set the intention to see everybody and everything with fresh eyes. As I took my morning walk to the nearby nature reserve, it was as if I were visiting there for the very first time. With this inner shift, things that before I had taken for granted, now offered a sense of amazement—the gentle smile of the street vendor as he offered freshly squeezed orange juice, the familiar forest which had become a leafy paradise.
My routine walk had turned into an exciting adventure, and I realized that with steadfast intention, it is always possible to pay attention to the world with a fresh, childlike perception, and even a sense of awe, wherever I am, whatever I am doing.
I am grateful for being encouraged to lead a life of authentic enthusiasm.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
I am deeply touched by this Siddha Yogi’s approach to his first
darshan with Gurumayi. Being open to the Guru’s grace, he received exactly what he needed—guidance to contemplate, and implement, and cherish for a lifetime.
I am inspired by the interplay of self-effort and grace in Leonardo’s life. I can see that sustained and devoted effort will draw the Guru’s transforming grace as we apply ourselves to
sadhana enthusiastically. Self-effort and grace, grace and self-effort—what a beautiful dance!
Massachusetts, United States