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Niścintatā
The State of Harmony II

State of Harmony IState of Harmony IIIState of Harmon IV

Niścintatā is a Hindi word referring to the state of being in harmony with oneself and one’s surroundings. Gurumayi requested that this gallery of black-and-white photos be created for the Siddha Yoga path website because these images evoke timelessness. Gurumayi gave the word niścintatā as the title for this gallery.

Gurumayi shared the story that when she was a child in India and she would ask elderly people how they were doing, they would often reply, with a very sweet smile, a gentle tilt of their head, and a lift of their hand, “Maĩ niścint hū̃. I am free from worry.” Gurumayi remembers this with great affection. It made a deep impression on her.

Gurumayi’s teachings are about just this: it is within every seeker’s ability to become free from worries—it is possible to experience the absence of mental agitation. This gallery is an invitation from Gurumayi to get in touch with niścintatā, the state of being in harmony.

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These photographs bring such beauty into my life at the close of every day. I am quieted and soothed. As I encounter these lovely images, my own being comes into harmony. Then my night is blessed and my sleep is deep.

New York, USA

I was delighted and moved by the tiny droplets fringing the leaf in image 6 of the Niscintata II gallery. Then in image 13, I saw the same delicate and sweet shape of little bells or beads on Lord Nataraj's divine foot. I thought, “Oh, the whole of nature is the dance of Consciousness!“ Seeing these images and receiving this sublime thought brought me to a space of inner peace. I closed my eyes and rested there for a while.

Castlemaine, Australia

For me, nature provides a glowing, flowing example of balance and freedom from agitation. She draws me into that state. The simplicity and richness of black and white drew me deep inside. 

California, USA

When I view the photos in the Niścintatā gallery, my mind stills and I am drawn into the space of my heart. I feel calm and rejuvenated.

South Yarra, Australia

This gallery feels like a balm for troubled times. Without the color, I can really resonate with the content of the image, with the presence of light and its absence.  
 
This reminds me of how, in meditation, when I eliminate thoughts that color my awareness, I am invited to dance in the flickering dimensions of shakti. Connected in this way, I find comfort and strength.

Michigan, USA

I am very touched by Gurumayi's intention for the Niścintatā
gallery. In viewing the images, deep peace replaced a feeling of agitation.
 
Image 5 brought back to me an experience from earlier in the day. I was looking up into a circle of trees near my home, marveling at their dedication to reaching for something higher. In that moment I became aware of something greater, a whole containing everything, including me. This state was peaceful, blissful, and pure. I'm grateful for this beautiful gallery reminding me of the state of niścintatā.

Connecticut, USA

I return to this gallery over and over again. The black and white photos invoke a sense of deep knowing within me. There’s the feeling of a special memory arising that seems to say, “I have been here before. And here. And here…” The stillness of the snow-covered trees, the phases of the moon, the varied manifestations of nature—all these are ever calming.

Lord Shiva's dance, for me, is the collection's centerpiece. He dances in divine harmony, in stillness and such perfect balance, touching my heart anew each time I see him.

Ajijic, Mexico

I greatly appreciate the mystical and out-of-time, beyond-time quality of these photographs. It is not always apparent what they are, allowing interpretation and speculation.
 
They also bring to my heart a longing. Again and again, my gratitude to my Guru.

Arkansas, USA

These are such beautiful images. In them, I see that light comes from darkness and returns to darkness, only to return again, illuminating everything, all of nature, and me, and you.

I see that I can make a choice. I can choose to move to the light, while staying in the state of harmony with the natural rhythm of the world, as light moves in and out of the dark.

Belo Horizonte, Brazil

The still rocks sitting in the flowing water
return my mind to my own inner stillness.
I regain calm amidst life’s constant changes.

Hawaii, USA

I return again and again to niścintatā, the state of harmony and balance. I return especially to the picture of Lord Shiva's foot with the falling droplets. I feel that I am seeing God. I feel niścintatā within myself, as I gaze at this beautiful photograph.

Ajijic, Mexico

I take the absence of color in this gallery as a subtle reminder to me to be at ease, to trust that my worries can fade to black, grey, or white. The images also remind me of breathing in meditation. Spending time here today has given me an inspiring pause in my daily routine—one of the best I recall.
 
Thank you, Gurumayi!
 

New York, USA

I love coming to rest in this gallery. My mind stills, and I become fully present in the moment. I become aware of the inner pulsation of joy.
 
Thank you, Gurumayi, for your continuous benevolent grace.

Texas, USA

For me, focusing on the photo of the waterfall is like seeing a moment frozen in time: my mind stops as I behold astounding beauty. The water reminds me of gossamer threads that come together to form crystals.
 
As I look at this photo, I notice that my breathing slows down, and I am left with a feeling of stillness, silence, and beauty.
 
Thank you, Gurumayi, for showing me the way to this experience. 

California, USA

These images took me into deep silence. My mind became tranquil, and I sat for meditation. I felt harmony in my body, mind, and breath.

Thank you, Gurumayi, for this beautiful teaching and the powerful gallery that supports me in applying your teaching.
 

Chandigarh, India

As I gazed at the beautiful third image, my mind became totally still.
 
As the moon silently goes through changes, I notice that what was unseen becomes seen, what was dark becomes illuminated. The image helped me let go of the agitation I was feeling about a challenge in my sadhana.
 
Silence, trust, and patience mark my path to the state of harmony.

Colorado, USA

As I begin to view the gallery, the sight of the very first image leads me to close my eyes and go deep within to a place of rest: the home of the Lord within. It is a meditative space where I am experiencing silence too. I would love to sit for meditation by viewing the image again.
 
Thank you!

Dombivli, India