I am an introvert and have been very shy throughout most of my life. Now, however, I am finding that I often get an inner prompting to reach out to others. It may be to make a lighthearted comment to a fellow rider in an elevator, an acknowledgment of the pressure on the doctor’s receptionist on a busy morning, or an expression of appreciation for a sevite I’ve been working with. When I reach out, it feels as though I am extending a light to the other person and they shine the same light back.

It is a shared experience of joy.

Sydney, Australia

I have often marveled at how much Gurumayi expresses great love and care for us by showing so much interest in, and listening so intently to, our stories, with all the details about our lives that might seem “petty“ or unimportant to someone else.

The way Gurumayi gives everyone such attention has always been very inspiring to me. The person walking away after such a beautiful encounter has always looked to me like the happiest, most appreciated human being on this earth—and they surely were!

So now I want to put in the effort to do the same—really listening, giving my time and full attention without any judgment to the people around me, at work or in my family. This is a wonderful way to welcome and acknowledge them; it creates a deeper connection between us that makes them feel seen and appreciated.

Milan, Italy

In the days leading up to the satsang on Mahashivaratri, I had been experiencing a challenge with one of my friends. I had noticed that when I expressed my appreciation or care for them, they often had little to no reaction. Internally, I felt confused. On the one hand, I wanted to freely express the love I felt for them. On the other hand, I feared imposing on them, or being judged by my other friends for constantly expressing myself with little reciprocity.

When I heard Gurumayi ji speak on this topic, I felt it was the exact teaching I needed to hear. Hearing her describe how my words would come to my friend “at a time when they need them the most,” and how “the seed of goodness” would “eventually grow into a maha tree,” my confusion was eliminated. Instead, I was suffused with a sense of caring for my friend and deep surrender to, and love for, Gurumayi ji.

I am grateful to Gurumayi ji for always teaching me how to live my life with love and compassion.

Oakville, Canada

Reading Gurumayi’s words on “planting the seed of goodness,” I am reminded of a time when I decided to change my mind about withholding my love from my mother, who I had always thought was the cause of my unhappiness. So I went to a card shop and bought the floweriest, most beautiful and ornate card about love, knowing that she adored receiving cards on every occasion. And I signed it “With love.”

From that day forward, our telephone conversations took a very different turn. My mother stopped criticizing my life and I felt a little freer to share myself with her. The seed grew into “a great tree,” so that when she passed away, I no longer felt anything but love for my mother.

California, United States

I show my appreciation for others in various ways, quite spontaneously. A long time ago, while offering seva, I met a truly beautiful woman. She was so beautiful that I simply had to tell her how beautiful she was and that she reminded me of the Mona Lisa, the painting by Leonardo da Vinci. To my amazement, she thanked me profusely, as if she had never experienced such appreciation before.

Similarly, I love it when someone else offers appreciation spontaneously and from the heart, just like my boyfriend—who, out of the blue yesterday, gave me a chocolate ladybird with a kiss and said I was a “heart beetle.” Surprised, I asked, “Is that really true?” and he said, “Yes!”

That showed me that it is important to both give and receive genuine and sincere appreciation time and time again, because this appreciation fosters positive development and gives each person a sense of security and confidence.

Konolfingen, Switzerland

This teaching from Gurumayi—“If you feel true love for someone, it’s all right to tell them, ‘I love you. I have appreciation for you. I appreciate you’”—was one that stood out a lot for me in the Mahashivaratri satsang via live video stream. Gurumayi is such a bright example of this teaching, continuously telling us that we matter, that we are loved and appreciated for who we are.

It is so touching to be recognized in such a genuine way. As a result, I felt that God’s love has been pouring over my soul and that a sparkle was ignited in me, creating a longing to respond to this love with more love toward God and every creature on this planet.

Rome, Italy

By nature, I am an extrovert. I teach at a university, where I meet many students from different backgrounds. For me those differences don’t matter because I have learned to see in everyone the same Self that resides in my heart.

The subjects that I teach can be difficult to understand. After explaining a topic, I make sure that every student understands, even if it requires some individual conferences. When I see from their faces that my students have understood, I inwardly thank Gurumayi for her grace.

Similarly, I make an effort to share my inner state of joyfulness with other people through my words and actions. Helping an elderly person to cross the road feels like I am holding my mother’s hand. Regardless of the other person’s state or behavior, I make it a point to smile at them, greet them, and welcome them.

I am able to be in this state always, as I know Gurumayi is there in my heart.

Lucknow, India

When I started on the Siddha Yoga path several decades ago, I was shy, insecure, and self-conscious, and would avoid talking with strangers. Nowadays, it has become natural for me to greet my neighbors and even strangers when I am walking in places where people go for their morning walks (even when they do not always return my greeting).

At supermarkets, I have built relationships with the cashiers and the boys who help me with my groceries. I can now look them in the eye, acknowledge their presence, talk with them, and genuinely thank them. Often, when talking with strangers at restaurants or other places where I purchase something, I acknowledge their good service.

I am grateful for this transformation; it has given my life deeper meaning, and I experience more joy and love.

Willemstad, Curaçao

This installment parallels my experience in the past few years of becoming increasingly fearless about bringing my goodness to the world. In my younger years I was less confident and more self-conscious. Often, I didn’t feel confident stepping forward, speaking up, or making the effort to appreciate people and connect with them.

Now, in my late fifties, I see that, with practice and the increased confidence I’ve gained through sadhana and life experience, it has become natural for me to reach out in an effort to bring sweetness and connection to the people around me.

I found Gurumayi’s teaching—that, even if someone doesn’t respond right away, our words will “come to their aid at a time when they need them the most”—to be encouraging and affirming. People sometimes appear in my life who do not seem very open or friendly toward me. I’ve discovered it can be helpful for me to tone down my natural effusiveness, while still making the effort to continue to be me, to inwardly wish them well, and to offer sincere appreciation.

California, United States