A Temple Without Form

In reading “A Temple Without Form,” I was reminded of a life-changing visit to Shree Muktananda Ashram in the summer of 1992. Previously, I had not established any inner connection with Bhagavan Nityananda. However, one day that summer, I stopped by the Bade Baba Temple and his grace suddenly entered into my life—with great abundance.
 
From that day on, I began to have inner visions of Bade Baba. For example, a familiar photo of him would appear during my meditation—except that Bade Baba was fully alive in that picture, as if I’d been there when it was taken. Sometimes a large murti of him, made of the purest gold, would emerge in my inner vision, or I would simply see one of his hands or his long, bare legs and feet. 
 
He would also visit my dreams from time to time. In one of those dreams, he graciously offered me a great recommendation, which became a strong support for my sadhana. He simply told me, with great love: “Have faith!” 
 

In the last few days as Bhagavan Nityananda’s Punyatithi approaches, he has appeared in my meditations, when I’ve been doing yoga, and even during a massage. I have felt his immense stillness, the freedom and joy and laughter of his being. I have felt him in my gut, in my very belly, and in my heart.
 

This evening, in the Sadhana Circle that I participate in, we listened to this wonderful poem and contemplated, “How does nature bring me into the experience of my heart?”
 
I’ve never had the still, small voice within communicate so clearly with me as it did tonight. I heard: “Nature is an interconnected ecosystem. Every plant and animal has its function within that system, and that describes our Heart. We are all connected and each of us has our role to play.”
 
And thanks to our Gurus’ grace, we can fulfill our role in the highest way, reveling in the bliss of the Heart.
 

I experienced an additional blessing of darshan in reading this poem by Gurumayi, for Gurumayi’s Message for 2023 is evoked for me in these lines: This meditation gives you the darshan of the Heart / The experience of the Heart energy / The possibility of living a meaningful life / The true knowledge of your world.
 
The first three of these lines recall for me my experience of how fullness of the heart brings me fulfillment in contentment, and the fourth line calls forth my experience of gratitude in befriending the mind, which helps me to regain equanimity and experience the Self.
 
No matter how many times Gurumayi guides me with utmost patience, I am always awed by the immensity of her gifts.
 

Today my husband and I were looking after a lovely Labrador dog. I had not walked a dog for a long time and was delighted to have this responsibility. On the walk I was fortunate enough to have Bade Baba’s darshan in a cow, a banksia tree with blossoms in the shape of a shiva-lingam, herons and cormorants, and a river. As Gurumayi’s poem states, “the Heart energy in each is unique.” And yet, on reflection, I realized the related truth expressed in the poem—that “the Heart energy in each is the same”—for in each darshan I felt the Heart’s wonder and joy.
 
I ended this day in great contentment by having Bade Baba’s darshan in a brilliant, glowing moon. 
 

Gurumayi’s poem is such a beautiful expression of love, which centered me in devotion this morning.
 
I especially noticed the word untrammeled. The initial feeling of expansiveness that this word gave me, thanks to its basic meaning of “unhindered” or “unlimited,” impelled me to look it up in my dictionary. I learned that the English word is derived from a Late Latin word tremaculum, referring to a net composed of three layers, used to catch fish (by hindering or constraining them). That etymology reminded me of something being beyond three spots—because there is no spot where God is not—and beyond the limitations we experience from the three gunas, or fundamental qualities of nature: tamas, rajas, and sattva.
 
So when Gurumayi writes, “Know the untrammeled terrain of the Heart,” her words give me great joy, carrying me to a feeling of ecstasy from the Guru’s infinite love—always there, always protecting me, always guiding me.
 
I am so grateful.
 

This wonderful poem and the audio recording of it are really nourishing for my soul. Gurumayi’s words are like a shower of radiant light, whose benefits for me are countless.
 

The poem is so lovely, it melted my heart. I love Bade Baba! I feel so grateful that even though he is no longer living, he still showers blessings upon me.
 

Gurumayi’s marvelous poem resonates especially with me, as it reminds me of a rare and unforgettable experience I received in 1986 in Bhagavan Nityananda’s Temple in the town of Ganeshpuri.
 
When I arrived at the Temple’s main entrance, there were so many flower vendors that I went looking for another entrance. But when I tried to enter, I was stopped by a strange and invisible force!
 
This strong presence took form of a huge letter “A,” while an inner voice told me, “I am the A of amitié, of friendship.” I knew then that Bade Baba was talking directly to my Self! Simultaneously, I was overwhelmed by this beautiful feeling of oneness and love, as if I’d finally been invited to meet with a very old friend I hadn’t visited for ages! What a strange, marvelous, and awesome feeling this was! As I sat for Bade Baba’s darshan, I felt I was merging into a sea of love.
 
As I read Gurumayi’s beautiful and profound poem, each word rang a bell in my heart, and will surely guide me further in my sadhana.
 

How can I hold all the love in my heart when I sit with Bade Baba! My heart expands with love that is so sweet and strong, it fills my chest. Like a butterfly I drink deeply of the sweet nectar of the Heart.
 
And yet I sometimes get distracted by another sweet flower and flit away from that nectar. Still, whenever I return to drink again of his deep eternal sweetness, his heart is always there—always loving, always welcoming, always forgiving. 
 
This is what I yearn for. And yet it can be hard for me to stay and realize that this wonderful Heart is my own Self. So I will flit, but each time I will return to stay a little longer—until I dissolve into the loveliness of this open-hearted love.
 

One of the pivotal moments of my life after shaktipat initiation took place in the Bhagavan Nityananda Temple. It was summer and I had been encouraged to visit Shree Muktananda Ashram. When I arrived, I followed a sweet guide to the Temple where I sat and meditated for some time, listening within to Bade Baba speaking with me. I heard him say that he was creating a foundation for my life.
 
Indeed, that is exactly what happened. I had only recently discovered the Siddha Yoga path, and this path did become the foundation of my life. I now live in gratitude.
 

Over these last days I have been surrounded by rain forest. I have swum in secret, crystal-clear rivers and as I walk along an empty beach, my heart has been filled with the sound of the ocean.
 
I have always loved this poem, and over these days it has been my companion. The breathtaking beauty of a leaf, or the way the sunlight pierces the canopy of trees and dances on the surface of a river are in themselves a song of pure joy. Instructed by Gurumayi’s words, I have known these moments and all the many other instances to be something even more divine.
 
I know that I have entered Bade Baba’s Temple. I am receiving darshan of the great Heart. What a profound blessing this true knowledge is!
 

The heart is the hub of all sacred places. Go there and roam.