On the evening of Baba's Lunar Birthday, the sevites in Shree Muktananda Ashram were invited to continue the celebration with Gurumayi in the Bhagavan Nityananda Temple. When we began to chant the mantra
Om Namah Shivaya the lights dimmed, and through the Temple windows I could see the trees outside swaying and dancing in the wind and rain against the deepening blue of the sky.
Suddenly, I was experiencing myself outside with the trees, breathing the moist, sweet air. And I was part of everything I saw, beyond the confines of my physical being, feeling such easeful freedom, and the sweetest gratitude and love for Baba and Gurumayi.
I became aware that the mantra, which Baba teaches us rises within, and which I had experienced rising within my body, was actually rising within everything, in every particle of Consciousness. There was only one Consciousness—limitless, eternal. And I was That.
That evening, in the Temple with Gurumayi, I experienced my freedom. I experienced heart's ease beyond anything I had known. I know for certain now that this is mine.
Thank you, Baba. Thank you, Gurumayi, forever.
a Siddha Yoga Swami
Thank you so much for sharing the words Gurumayi's spoke following the recitation of
Shri Guru Gita on the morning of Baba's Lunar Birthday. There are so many wonderful teachings here for us all to follow.
Gurumayi asked us to finish the thought: "Your life is beautiful; your life is filled with blessings because Baba's
shakti, Baba's energy, Baba's love is…"
For me, Baba's
shakti, Baba's energy, Baba's love is in the form of the mantra. It is also showering upon me and flowing through me into the world when I turn to the Siddha Yoga teachings, when I welcome others with love and respect, when I contribute to situations in an uplifting way, when I offer seva with an open heart, and when I contemplate the many blessings in my life and offer gratitude in tangible and heartfelt ways.
Gurumayi, thank you for teaching us how to honor the birth of a great being through
puja.
Perth, Australia
On Friday night, May 24, on Baba's Lunar Birthday, the sevites in Shree Muktananda Ashram were invited to the Bhagawan Nityananda Temple to continue our practice of puja to Baba. I was sitting close to Bade Baba's murti and had an extraordinary experience of Gurumayi's Message Artwork.
While we were chanting Om, which truly sounded like a choir of angels, I looked up. The ceiling of the Temple was bathed in a deep, deep blue light and the dome above Bade Baba was golden-blue light. Immediately, my awareness went up through the dome into the Blue Pearl, then into the vast universe. I felt myself pass through the sahasrara at the top of my head.
We were all inside the Artwork mandala. Each of us was a bead, pulsating with Om, and we all traveled up through the Blue Pearl that opened above Bade Baba's head. It was exquisite.
Whenever I recall that experience, I can feel that space at the top of my head open once more. Because I have been meditating on the Message Artwork regularly, I can feel that my awareness immediately takes that route to the Blue Pearl, the center of the Artwork. It is becoming a habit—a great habit!
Thank you, Gurumayi. The gifts of your Message Artwork continue to unfurl and remain to be enjoyed every day!
New York, USA
On the evening of Baba’s Lunar Birthday, while chanting
Om Namah Shivaya in the Bhagavan Nityananda Temple with Gurumayi, I felt the power of the pure vibration of the Self permeating every cell of my body and resonating with my soul, making me aware of my oneness with all.
Throughout the chant, I had flashes of recognition of moments during my daily life when I touched that source of power within—just by remembering to focus on my heart. What a gift Baba gave to us all!
Thank you, Gurumayi, for this day of celebration, worship, and remembrance.
Shree Muktananda Ashram
On the auspicious day of Baba's Lunar Birthday, I went with my two daughters to a Family Satsang. What a wonderful way to offer
puja! I loved chanting Baba's name. My older daughter, ten years old, appreciated hearing the story of Baba's birth and offering
arati during
Jyota se Jyota Jagao. My youngest, who is six, loved drawing for Baba and offering
puja through the practices of
darshan and
dakshina. Earlier in that day, the three of us saw the video posted on the Siddha Yoga path website.
Thank you, Gurumayi. And thank you to all the
sevites who participate in offering us so many ways to worship our Guru.
The Guru's love is infinite and always present in my heart.
Annecy, France
Throughout the celebration of Baba Muktananda's Lunar Birthday, I was experiencing seeing Baba's light and
shakti emanating from those around me in a most powerful way. At lunchtime, as I was speaking with a fellow devotee, I saw Baba so clearly in this devotee's eyes and smile, and then I had the understanding—this is
puja; seeing God in each other is
puja.
My experience of this
puja to Baba deepened throughout the day of celebration, and I noticed that, inwardly, my head began to naturally bow as I saw Shri Gurudev in others. This
mahaprasad of Baba's
darshan everywhere continues to absorb me as I contemplate the duty I have to walk reverentially in this universe of bliss.
With all of my heart, Gurumayi, I thank you for your intention for Baba's birthday, for your supreme teachings, and for guiding me in a life of worship.
Shree Muktananda Ashram, USA
It was so beautiful for us in Gurudev Siddha Peeth to read Swami Ishwarananda's talk today. Yesterday, on Baba’s Lunar Birthday, we too were offering
puja to Baba all day. Gurukula students started with the morning
arati, followed by the recitation of
Shri Guru Gita and a
maha abhishek in the Nityananda Temple. At 6:45 in the evening, the entire Gurukula came together to view the video on the home page of the Siddha Yoga path website. It was breathtaking to hear and see Gurumayi speak, to hear and see Baba laughing, and to be sharing in all of this with the global
sangham. The viewing of the video was followed by an exquisite chant of Baba's name.
When we started to chant, a bird flew into the hall and alighted on one of the microphones that was not being used by a lead chanter. The bird looked for a long time at Gurumayi's chair and back at us and at Gurumayi's chair again before flying off. Many of us felt this was another grace-filled sign of Baba!
Happy birthday, Baba.
Gurudev Siddha Peeth
On the morning of Baba’s Lunar Birthday Celebration, after the recitation of
Shri Guru Gita, most of the devotees in Gurudev Siddha Peeth were in Bade Baba's Temple attending the
maha abhishek, and I was preparing the
puja of my department. The thought of
puja itself had been so much in my mind since early morning. I collected flowers from all over the Ashram, laid out new
puja cloths, and decorated the
puja with all those flowers. As I placed each flower, in my heart I was offering
puja. I was enjoying this to the core of my being.
Today, when I read Gurumayi's intention, I realized how much she had been with me when I was decorating the
puja. Now, I know why I had been feeling since early morning that I did not want any corner to be left without
puja—it was Gurumayi’s intention working with me.
Thank you, Gurumayiji.
Gurudev Siddha Peeth