Lighthouse Galleries

As I was going through this Lighthouse Gallery, I began to see all these lights as candles on arati trays set around the edges of the world to help people navigate the hazardous places and light their way through darkness. And I light a candle with my offering, and the Guru's light guides me through the darkness.
 

Masterton, New Zealand

In meditation this morning, a thumb-shaped point of energy emerged between and behind the eyes. As I nurtured this curious experience, the light expanded more and more like a sunrise in my head, shining outward all round. Then the light beamed around like a lighthouse!  I remembered Gurumayi's teaching in A Sweet Surprise and went to see the lighthouse pictures on the Siddha Yoga path website. I saw all the strong lighthouse structures as tangible outer symbols of the inner pillar of light that unfolds and illumines the path of dharma.
 
Thank you, Gurumayi. 

Illinois, USA

As I behold the little lighthouse painted in bright colors on the banks of Lake Nityananda, my heart is filled with sweetness.
 
With a lighthouse constantly standing guard on the shore, guiding my journey, steering me away from the craggy cliffs of worldliness and the hidden underwater boulders of self-doubts, I can feel free from worry.
 
Thank you, Gurumayi.  This little lighthouse makes me smile.

Sydney, Australia

Kentucky, USA

New Hampshire, USA

Thank you for these photos! The two that hit home for me were the one from Pointe du Raz, France, showing the waves crashing against the lighthouse walls and the one from Nantucket, Massachusetts, USA, showing just the darkness with the light from the lighthouse shining through. There have been times in my sadhana when I have felt the waves crashing, or I have felt in total darkness—and yet the lighthouse of the Guru's grace has given me what I needed to keep me going, to guide my direction.

California, USA

Just as the shiva lingams remind us of the presence and protection of Lord Shiva, the lighthouses remind me of the presence of the Guru and of the light of the Self in my own heart.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Today, as I once again viewed the Lighthouse Gallery, I found myself installing the mantra Om Namah Shivaya in every lighthouse. How wonderful, I thought, to have the mantra shining forth within the beacon of light that emanates from the lighthouses as a gift of love to the world. As this vision blossomed, a feeling of peace and joy descended upon my heart.

I send my love and gratitude to my beloved Gurumayi. And thank you to those around the world who are submitting these beautiful lighthouse images.

New York, USA

I love viewing all the different lighthouses from around the world with all the different weather situations and terrains. They remind me of the light of the Self within that eternally shines, no matter what the inner weather of my emotional state is, or the sometimes rocky terrains of life I have to travel through. It is so comforting to know that there is always the welcoming, safe harbor of the light of the Self within.

Thank you, Siddha Yogis throughout the world, who have made the time to take these wonderful photos and submit them.

New York, USA

What a wonderful world I see in all these photos—all over the world, the same Consciousness dressed up in different clothing!

Rosendahl, Germany

For decades, I’ve likened my spiritual journey to a trip from where I am in North America to Tierra del Fuego off the southernmost tip of South America—in other words, a long way. How long, I don’t really know, but I know that the destination is there and that I can get there by following the practices steadily, step by step, day by day.
 
And then this morning, I opened the Lighthouse Gallery and there was a lighthouse— in Tierra del Fuego!—symbol of my goal. Yes, follow the path my Guru shows, say the mantra, and just keep walking.
 
Thank you, Gurumayi.

New Mexico, USA

For decades I have been admiring lighthouses, appreciating their solidity and serenity alongside the tumult of the sea, understanding them as symbols of the beacons that light our spiritual journey and the grace of the Master that guides us through the perils of samsara, worldly existence.

Today, for the first time, I saw lighthouses as lingams. From now on, in addition to their many other symbolic meanings, I will see lighthouses as temples to Shiva.

Connecticut, USA

Each morning, I visit the Siddha Yoga path website. Today, I was concerned about a troubling situation. When I opened the Lighthouse Gallery, the thought came to me, “Stand tall and sturdy. Be steadfast, and the light will shine through.” I felt solid and strong inside.

Thank you, Gurumayi, for the ways in which your inspiration and grace are bestowed upon us, ever shining through.

California, USA

The image of the light shining out into the darkness is so powerful! It captures my experience of how Gurumayi's love and grace pierce the darkness of my ignorance. In one moment there is darkness and then, miraculously, there is light. Every time this happens, I feel as if I am experiencing it for the first time with the wonder of a child. Such gratitude!

New York, USA

I am in love with this Lighthouse Gallery. Each photo fills me with hope, astonishment, and appreciation. Hearty thanks to all of you who are sharing these photos, because even though there are no lighthouses where I live, I now experience these beautiful lighthouses throughout the world. I am so happy!

Thane West, India

Seeing the lighthouse lit up, I was drawn inside to a wonderful space of bright green light that was silent, totally free, and immeasurable. I could feel its strong protection. Then the light filled the space of my heart, and from there spread a powerful and continuous white light outward, as the lighthouses do.

Rennes, France

Seeing the various forms, colors, shapes, and sizes of the lighthouses, what strikes me is how these lighthouses represent all of us. We come in different shapes and sizes and are scattered all around the world. Yet each one of us is, at the core, a house of light.

The Guru has ignited my light with hers. Her grace dwells in me, not only as the light by which I am able to see the world, but also by which I am able to be a light for others.

Thank you, Gurumayi, for lighting the light in me, and guiding me along the path with so much patience and compassion.

Johannesburg, South Africa

It's such a pleasure to see all the photos of lighthouses submitted by Siddha Yogis all around the world. For me, the photos themselves are a physical manifestation of the dedication of the global Siddha Yoga sangham to honoring all the beacons of light in our lives: the Guru, the teachings, the practices—and each other. And when I read and reread the shares inspired by the lighthouse photos, I am so moved to see how that light is reflected back through the insights and the wisdom in those shares.

Just thinking about how Siddha Yogis around the world are sharing the light in their lives with others all around them makes me very happy.

Illinois, USA

I do not live near a lighthouse, but I’ve been contemplating what message the lighthouses on the Siddha Yoga path website are conveying to me. This morning as I began the recitation of Shri Guru Gita, the awareness arose that Shri Guru Gita is a lighthouse of grace.

Thank you, Gurumayi, for this amazingly alive website, which is also a lighthouse of grace.

New York, USA

This morning, when I see the photos that are posted here, I am astonished at the experience of love that washes over me. Each of these is such an embodiment of light at the edge of darkness, safety in the presence of danger, faith in the presence of fear. I experience such a sense of the loyalty and goodness of human beings who both build these and then steadfastly man them in order to keep the light shining.

I think of the Guru, who with absolute love tends the light for us all, showing us safe passage over and again.

My heart offers its thanks in every way that it can, and my head bows in gratitude.

Washington, USA

These beautiful photos express the stillness of Shiva, the stillness of the Supreme Self.

Each lighthouse reminds me of the great column of light, the central support of all, the Guru standing elegantly, faithfully, and eternally firm, guiding the soul back home.

For me, the lighthouses also symbolize the protection, guidance, and purity of the Guru, who is the one point of salvation amidst the storms of life, the mists of confusion, the dark night of the soul.

Connecticut, USA

Since there are no lighthouses in the California desert where I live, I first thought I couldn't contribute to the gallery—but would certainly enjoy what others contributed. As the day progressed, I noticed a painting of a lighthouse in my office where I counsel people. I realized that it is a perfect symbol of the light of understanding that I hope will guide my clients through their journeys. And this refreshed for me the meaning and purpose of my work.

Next, I looked through photo albums of bike trips I've made and found a photo from a trip to Canada to submit. More important, I’ve become aware of the many “beacons” that do light my path every day.

Thank you, Gurumayi, for this wonderful and illuminating gift, and for always being such a steady, guiding force for me. I look forward to learning more, as I study the Message for 2015.

California, USA

Exquisite! In the midst of our first winter storm, I saw the photo gallery of lighthouses. Their beauty stilled and awed my turbulent mind. It was a beacon of light to remind me to navigate away from the rocky shores of samsara.

Tears sprang up as I became aware of the powerful metaphor: the Guru is our beacon of light, standing ever-present, beautiful, and vastly strong amid the rolling seas!

Thank you, Gurumayi. I feel your love shining out from a tower of strength, guiding me past all turbulence to the stillness within.

New Mexico, USA

I visit the Siddha Yoga path website daily, yet only discovered the Lighthouse Gallery moments ago. I was struck by the fact that it was posted on January 16, the same day I updated my computer wallpaper with a photo of the Montauk Lighthouse I just happened upon when looking for a file.

I took the photo on a weekend visit with several other devotees, and seeing it reminded me of the wonderful time we had together, much of which included sharing our love for Gurumayi.

Now when I look at my computer and see that image, I feel gratitude for the deep connection I have to the Guru's light within my heart, and for the Siddha Yoga path website, a beacon of immense light shining brightly through the internet ethers!

Thank you, Gurumayi!

California, USA

Thank you for this beautiful gallery of lighthouses. They remind me of all the different forms the Guru's light takes in my life, showing me the way every single day—and always guiding me home to the Self.
 
Thank you, Gurumayi. I pranam at your feet.

New Mexico, USA

I am so touched by this beautiful gallery. I have always loved lighthouses. Since I was a child, lighthouses have symbolized hope for me, reminders that we can do it, we can arrive at the highest goal, that always there is hope, and that God always is with us.
 
Thank you very much, Gurumayi, for making visible the presence of love through this gallery.

La Cala de Mijas, Spain