This morning, as I explored “Pick a Birthday Bliss Mango,” I felt as though I had made a pilgrimage to Guru Chowk in Gurudev Siddha Peeth, the Siddha Yoga Ashram in India, where I blissfully relished picking each mango. Now, my heart is soaring with joy and love for my Guru. For me, each mango has opened a new window of learning to help me with my spiritual growth and my journey within.
Nairobi, Kenya
I picked a mango every morning this month, marveling at the stories about Gurumayi knowing what’s in our minds and hearts. One day I thought, “Do I really want Gurumayi to know everything I’m thinking?” I realized I wanted Gurumayi to be aware only of my auspicious thoughts, but not the others!
Suddenly, in my mind’s eye, I was in a room with Gurumayi and a few other women. Gurumayi stood near a doorway, smiling. Tilting her head, she gracefully motioned for us all to come along to the music room to play together. I happily rose from my chair to follow her. I wasn’t nervous about what Gurumayi thought of me, or concerned about my worthiness to be there—I was simply enjoying every moment with lighthearted ease.
Before I reached the music room, the scene gently dissolved into large coral and orange swirls, accompanied by a feeling of love—unconditional love. I realized I don’t have to earn Gurumayi’s love or think specific thoughts to deserve her love. Her love is streaming forth, like sunlight in a cloud-free sky.
Now, in moments of self-doubt, I remember this vision and unfailingly re-experience the lighthearted feeling of being with Gurumayi.
California, United States
One of the mangoes on this tree quotes verse 113 of Shri Guru Gita, which has long been a favorite of mine. The word crystal, or sphatika in Sanskrit, in this verse always reminds me of the gift Baba gave me during my very first darshan with him: a tiny crystal heart. As I wandered the hall trying to return to my seat, the little heart felt like it was almost alive in the palm of my hand.
This little crystal traveled with me over the years. When my daughter was to make a trip to India, years before I myself could visit Gurudev Siddha Peeth, I asked her to carry the special crystal with her for protection and—to return it to the Guru. She placed it before Baba’s chair in the courtyard.... Was it possibly under a mango tree?
California, United States
I am so grateful for the creativity, love, and beauty in this mango experience. Each pick holds the essence of the grace-bestowing love of the Guru.
I usually don’t buy mangoes. However, two days before seeing this “Pick a
Birthday Bliss Mango” posting, I purchased a few mangoes. I now know that the Guru can teach even through mangoes, and I am enjoying my fruit as much as I am enjoying each pick from the mango tree. This is bringing me great joy.
<
Virginia, United States
Even sweeter than imagining the taste of those mangoes is experiencing the sublime
rasa of taking in each of the messages as my Guru’s grace.
California, United States
I am grateful for all the beautiful offerings in this garden of mangoes!
I especially love the verses from
Shri Guru Gita. When I recite
Shri Guru Gita, my attention is primarily on the Sanskrit words. I am inspired now to sit and read the translation of the verses so I can truly imbibe what they are saying.
Delaware, United States
When I picked the mango called “Where are you from?” and read the share, I remembered a question that Gurumayi asked me fifteen years ago. She inquired what a safety net signified for me. Contemplating that single question has transformed my life. By moving out of my safety net, or comfort zone, I have learned to take full ownership of my work and of my responsibilities in all areas of my life—personal, professional, and spiritual. When I am able to do this, it enables me to function fearlessly without worrying about the judgment of others. Regularly doing the Siddha Yoga practices and engaging with Gurumayi’s teachings are an immense support for maintaining this inner state.
Thane, India
The share that appeared under “Sweep Your Heart” called to mind for me the “sparkle
seva” (that is, cleaning
seva) that I have offered both at Shree Muktananda Ashram and at the Siddha Yoga Meditation Center in Rochester, New York. When I am still and focused on my breath, or am cleaning my home or office, my experiences of “sparkle
seva” always come to mind. A lightness and expansiveness are present in those memories, which make me want to offer that experience to others.
New York, United States
Last night I had a hard time falling asleep because of some challenges I am facing. I asked Gurumayi inwardly for guidance on how to proceed.
This morning I picked a mango, and to my great surprise it contained an account titled “Ask the Moon Your Question.” It describes how Gurumayi let a little boy know she had heard his question.
Reading this, I realized that Gurumayi had heard my question last night too.
Willemstad, Curacao
The mango basket with verse 92 of
Shri Guru Gita reminded me of a sweet experience of Gurumayi’s “gentle smile” and “abundant grace,” as described in the verse. It was my birthday during a difficult period in my life, and I was feeling sad. Suddenly, a light expanded in my heart, and an image of Gurumayi appeared. She was seated cross-legged beside a tray with three oval slices of mango. With the sweetest of smiles and gentle compassion in her eyes, she held her hand up and offered me a slice of mango. Filled with wonder, I made the physical motion of taking the mango to my mouth; I was filled with the sense of being cherished and deeply understood.
Later in the day, when I went to a restaurant, I was amused to see mango on the dessert menu. Imagine my astonishment when it arrived as three oval slices, exactly like the ones Gurumayi had offered me in the vision!
Hastings, United Kingdom
For me, this mango tree represents the Guru—rich in grace and its fruit.
Friuli, Italy
I felt as if Gurumayi was inviting me to choose my mango. Keeping my eyes closed, I saw her in my mind’s eye, and I chose a mango. It was the
abhanga Anandatse Dohi. I felt full and grateful, as if Gurumayi had filled me with bliss. I sense that I am always flowing in the ocean of bliss, no matter how challenging my external world can seem. I realize that the only time I feel helpless is when I am distracted from my real nature. When I consciously bring my mind back to dwell in my own blessed nature, I reconnect to my experience of bliss.
Cuttack, India
The sparkling-clean marble floor of the Gurudev Siddha Peeth courtyard in the picture takes me back to a time when I was there and was offering sweeping
seva. Gurumayi would sometimes walk among us and remind us of Baba’s teaching to “Take a broom and sweep your heart.”
Filled with a strong desire to hear Gurumayi’s voice, I pick a mango, and lo and behold, it is the one in which Gurumayi sings
Anandatse Dohi.
My heart fills with sweet nectar and gratitude! The Guru is the wish-fulfilling tree that hears and answers my sincere prayers!
Nora, Sweden
The mangoes in the picture are a delight to behold and to relish! I can imagine how delicious they are, as I tasted them when I had the opportunity to visit Gurudev Siddha Peeth. I was told then that Baba had planted 108 varieties of mango trees around the Ashram and nurtured them with love and with water brought from the Tansa River.
And now, as I click on each mango cluster, I taste the deliciousness of love and knowledge in each one.
Hyderabad, India
The mango I picked led me to a letter to Gurumayi with the title “Gurumayi Loves Me So Much.” It immediately reminded me of the time my mom and grandmother met Gurumayi.
At the time, I was a young adult serving on staff at Shree Muktananda Ashram. Although my mother and grandmother had not shown any interest in the Siddha Yoga path, they came to the Ashram to celebrate my birthday and because they were always curious to visit new places. When I introduced them to Gurumayi during
darshan, she gave them each a silk scarf, which her attendant placed around their necks. To me, it seemed she was honoring them.
Throughout their visit and beyond, they continued to show no interest in the Siddha Yoga path. However, the day after meeting Gurumayi, my grandmother said spontaneously, “Gurumayi treated us so wonderfully because she loves you so much.” I could tell that these words came directly from her heart, the place in her—and in all of us—that knows the Truth.
California, United States
How wonderful it is to visit the courtyard in Gurudev Siddha Peeth once again. I feel I am receiving
darshan of Gurumayi’s essence here in the company of others in the Siddha Yoga Universal Hall, in
satsang! I am grateful for the unique gift within each stem of mangoes. Each mango is delicious and brings me joy, delight, and profound nourishment. My heart is soaring!
Nevada, United States
When I see this artwork, I feel Gurumayi is showering love like sweet mangoes. I have firm trust in her love, and I feel so much love in nature all around me.
Mahesana, India
As I read the teachings behind each mango, the gratitude I feel is immense. Choosing and reading the teachings, I become tuned to the present moment. And I find myself blissfully connected to Gurumayi. I feel she is holding my hand and guiding me by showering each moment with precious teachings.
Mersin, Turkey
There is so much love here in the month of
Birthday Bliss. And after picking many mangoes, I feel my heart opening up so wide it merges with the universal Heart.
I wish to live in this love my whole life.
Pune, India
I feel that each image in this garden of mangoes speaks to me personally and gives me a teaching that suits my life circumstances with great care and love. As I experience this, I feel I’m being guided moment by moment. I sense the Guru’s affection for me and complete peace in my heart.
Chennai, India
After I read the experience described under “Ask the Moon Your Question,” I remembered an incident that took place when I was a child and living in Gurudev Siddha Peeth with my parents. It taught me how Gurumayi always listens to you if you pray from the heart.
As a child, I really loved eating mangoes—and I still do. One night, it was already 9:30 p.m. and I wanted to eat a mango. My mother tried hard to make me understand that this was impossible, but that we could eat mangoes the next day. I cried and cried, and prayed that I wanted to eat mangoes, and wouldn’t sleep.
Suddenly, there was a knock on our door! And there stood a sevite with a whole basket full of mangoes for me, saying, “These mangoes are for your daughter from Gurumayi.”
I am grateful for this opportunity to “pick a
Birthday Bliss mango” as it reminds me of my earlier mango experience and gave me a beautiful way of reconnecting to my heart.
Virar, India
The picture of mangoes is so beautiful and full of joy! When I went to “pick a
Birthday Bliss mango,” I immediately clicked on the cluster of mangoes that showed me “Gurumayi Loves Me So Much.” My heart was filled with happiness!
When I started reading about the Siddha Yogi’s experience of love for their son, I was reminded of how the Guru’s unconditional love transforms my life too.
Chennai, India