Gurumayi Chidvilasananda’s Darshan and Wisdom

I first saw Shri Gurumayi in person standing in front of Gurudev Siddha Peeth in February 2003. Looking back, I see that I immediately understood Gurumayi’s words in this first posting. I sensed that the Sadguru’s heart is beyond anything I was used to. I knew her heart was full of compassion, and in that moment my heart filled with devotion to her.
 
Whenever I remember that moment, I experience anew the depth of the power of love in the heart.
 

Kopargaon, India

I have experienced that “Darshan happens in the Heart” because I have unfailingly received guidance and affirmations from Gurumayi ji in my daily life, as if she was right there with me. Also, I feel deeply connected with Gurumayi ji when I'm established in my true nature, in my heart.
 

Thane, India

When I first looked at the photograph of Gurumayi, I gazed into her eyes, looking for a revelation. However, a shift in my perception then occurred, drawing me inward. Now I was experiencing a light-filled vibration, serenity, love.
 
Ah, this is darshan. 
 

Washington, United States

The moment I received the glorious blessing of Gurumayi’s darshan via this picture, I felt white waves of energy moving upwards through my body. And I knew, as Gurumayi says here, that this was “the movement of shakti in the Heart.”
 

Lucknow, India

After seeing the touching photograph and reading Gurumayi's teaching, I was inspired to look back over the 32 years of my sadhana.  Over the years, the love, care, grace, and understanding I have received from Gurumayi's teachings and the practices have taken me deeper and deeper inside myself. I have been able to connect more and more with my heart, which has also led to a stronger inner connection with Gurumayi.
 
Now, I just have to turn inside to have her darshan. I know that Gurumayi is always with me, in my heart. Every day, when I bow to the padukas on my puja, I ask Gurumayi to come with me to my work and guide me to do my work in the same selfless way that I would offer seva.
 
Thank you, Gurumayi, from the bottom of my heart for giving me these understandings and for always being with me in my heart. 

Lucknow, India

Gurumayi’s teaching that true seekers yearn to “experience oneness with every particle of the universe” reminded me of an experience I had in Gurudev Siddha Peeth. While meditating, I experienced myself from the vantage point of a speck on one of the marble walls. It was an experience of a profound witness state, absolute stillness, a feeling of oneness with everything. The experience of oneness was pervaded by a subtle bliss. Recalling it brought back that experience.
 

Washington, United States

When I began to read Gurumayi's words I felt my body scintillating with golden energy. I read each line very slowly. I wanted to become full of this golden light. I read and reread her words, feeling the shift in my state of mind and the release in my body. I became quiet and peaceful.

Washington, USA

This image made me think of the silent prayer I offered many years ago at Lake Nityananda. 
 
This darshan reminded me of my prayer: "Please, let me always remember you, God."
 

California, USA

When I opened this divine invitation to experience darshan, I was instantly struck with the deep rasa of gratitude. I had the experience of not only seeing the image of Shri Gurumayi, but being seen by her.  I felt the longing in my depths to be seen, and the experience of having that longing be fulfilled merged into a flowing rainfall of gratitude.
 
Then I read the words of the teaching—and experienced a longing to see the face of God in others, as I long for the face of God to be seen in me. I experienced darshan, which opened the flowers of my heart. I felt Shri Guru's grace within me, through her loving glance.
 
May others perceive the face of love in me, and may I see the face of God in every human face and in every particular thing.

New Jersey, USA

These sacred words make me feel so connected to the shakti, to my Self, to the Truth, and to Gurumayi. And they reassure me that I must be a true seeker! 
 
I'm very grateful to Gurumayi for giving us so many ways to make these beneficial connections.

Embrun, Canada

Reading Gurumayi’s words about devotion, I remembered that when I came into the meditation room this morning I found a fresh rose on the puja. Where did it come from? I found out that my wife had placed it there in devotion early in the morning, while I was still sleeping. The power of her offering and devotion was incredibly potent and felt very sweet and rejuvenating. Feelings of wonder and hope arose.
 

South Carolina, United States

No rain has fallen here for months, and just as I was opening the Siddha Yoga path website and praying for blessings, I heard the pattering of a few precious raindrops. For me it was a delightful confirmation of my Guru’s presence. And, this photo of Gurumayi with the umbrella popped up at that exact moment! 

With even the most subtle experience of darshan, my heart experiences the sweet satsang of Gurumayi’s presence, and tears wet my face. I know my Guru has not forgotten me, and I am so grateful for her being and love.

Now, as I finish this writing, a downpour begins, showering blessings upon us all!
 
Thank you, most compassionate Gurumayi, for being here with us, and sharing your delightful play!

 

New Mexico, USA
 

As I visit the Siddha Yoga path website and receive the darshan of Gurumayi's teachings, the world around me begins to remind me of these sacred photos and teachings. When I look at the sunrise, I immediately think of Gurumayi. When I see the moon, I silently say, “Thank you, Gurumayi, for your teachings that have shed light and given me direction in my life.”
 
I smiled when I saw this photo of Gurumayi holding an umbrella. I can already picture myself holding an umbrella and remembering this photo and teaching. 
 

South Yarra, Australia

While having Gurumayi’s darshan with this photo, I immediately experienced Gurumayi recognizing my greatness in such a way that I simultaneously experienced it. I experienced the greatness of the Self in her and in myself. I feel it is Gurumayi’s grace, love, and compassion that make that vision of greatness possible. May I in turn see that greatness in all others and in creation.
 
 I am immensely grateful and awed. Thank you, Gurumayi.
 

Washington, USA

As I read Gurumayi’s words, I experienced that what she was describing was happening to me. Her words were totally alive and transformative—not ordinary words at all, but imbued with the power of her divinity, entering my whole body.
 
Thank you, Gurumayi, for sharing your light with me and everyone.

Texas, USA

My state has risen like the sun on seeing Gurumayi's image and reading her words. My heart instantly expanded, and I rejoiced in this day. In an instant, my perception of my cold body and the cold, wet weather outside has been transformed.
 

Perth, Australia

When I feel that Gurumayi is with me, I feel joyful. And when I feel my heart open, I think I am really in a pool of joy!
 

Thane West, India
 

Gurumayi’s words remind me of my experience just last evening. During the last golden rays of sunlight, I took my dog for a walk around the neighborhood. I listened to a recording of Baba reciting Shri Guru Gita as we walked—farther than I had intended—looking at the trees and the end of the day's sky. When we returned home, I sat down in a state of complete contentment and listened to the rest of Shri Guru Gita.

Ajijic, Mexico

Whenever I read this quote from Gurumayi, I immediately become aware of my breath. As I breathe in I perceive light, freshness, beauty, joy, and enthusiasm. I can smell the trees, feel the wind, hear the leaves moving, and enjoy the warmth of the sun. As I breathe out, I feel release, easefulness, and lightheartedness. I can “hear” silence, see the moonlight, and enjoy the state of peace.
 

Berlin, Germany

Last evening I took a short walk, chanting while I walked. As I moved along the paved road lined with trees, I came to an opening in the branches at an intersection of the road in which the crescent moon was beautifully surrounded by small, dark clouds and stars.
 
At that moment I was awestruck, and I could feel my heart open as wide as the expansive sky. I stood there for a minute, feeling bathed in an inner intoxication, and then a bright light of a distant oncoming truck overtook my field of vision. As the truck turned away, I moved back into my former position. The sky had changed, but the feeling in my heart was still one of expansion and joy.
 
Then, this morning, as I read Gurumayi's Darshan and Wisdom regarding the Heart, I was struck by how my evening's experience resounded with her grace.

New Jersey, USA

This photo of Gurumayi and the ektar is the one that called me, the first one I clicked on. It reminded me of a Siddha Yoga satsang with Gurumayi in Manhattan in 1985, in which we chanted Jay Jay Vitthale and Gurumayi played the ektar. It was the first time I heard that chant, or the ektar, or experienced such ecstasy.
 
Since then, and for many years, one of the sevas I offer has been in the music department as a lead chanter. That initial ecstasy has sprouted into a blossoming forest. There is nothing like Siddha Yoga chanting! It is my mooring, my teacher, my port of safety and solace—my direct and immediate connection to the divine.
Synchronistically, tonight’s chant is Jay Jay Vitthale. Whenever I chant it I connect to that first time, and realize how much quieter my mind and my life have become.
 
And for this I give thousands of thanks to Gurumayi and the Siddha Yoga path.

California, USA

Reading this teaching, I remembered chanting the divine name with Gurumayi. The chanting took me to previously unknown lands of ethereal beauty and serenity where love flowed and connected me to bliss. I shed tears of happiness that seemed to wash away fears and melancholy. A feeling of completeness grew within me.
 
Thank you, Gurumayi!
 

Lucknow, India

Reflecting on image 11, I see that I have found prayer to be a direct way for me to enter the heart, both my heart and what I experience as the heart of God. At a time when my usual comforts have been taken away, I have been praying by writing to Gurumayi in my journal. After I write, I focus inside and experience guidance that shows me a way forward. Then I feel more confident in my direction.
 
As I pray, I can feel that the Guru is with me each step of the way. 
 

Massachusetts, United States

This week I read each of the teachings in “Gurumayi Chidvilasananda’s Darshan and Wisdom.” I was particularly drawn to the teaching about prayer that appears with photo #11.
 
That night as I was praying, all of a sudden I felt Lord Shiva enter my being and permeate all of it in the tiniest fraction of a second. I had an inner knowing and vision that it was Lord Shiva in the form of Shiva Nataraj, and that I was indeed Lord Shiva myself.
 
This experience makes me feel empowered and worthy of the highest. And I now find myself remembering to repeat Om Namah Shivaya more frequently, with the heightened understanding that Lord Shiva, my Guru, and I are one. This gives me strength.

New York, United States

My mother taught me to pray when I was a very young child. That is the greatest gift she could have given me. For me, prayer is the most important thing to do in order to create a good day. And now, Gurumayi affirms the power of this gift in her teaching, "Prayer is a magnet that draws the presence of God."
 
Thank you, Gurumayi, for this reminder of the importance of praying for my family, friends, the world, and myself.
 

Yautepec, Mexico

I am so grateful to read these words from Gurumayi. They describe my experience of prayer so well and reassure me that the connection I experience with God when I pray is very real and not something I am imagining! Gurumayi's teaching also encourages me to continue in my practice of prayer, which I can do at any time wherever I may be.
 

California, USA

Two days ago, I took a walk on the grounds of Gurudev Siddha Peeth and then sat on a bench overlooking the beautiful garden. The moment I closed my eyes, I imagined that Gurumayi was coming towards me, inviting me to walk with her. With enthusiasm, I accompanied her in my mind’s eye.
 
As we walked, I could not stop sharing with her about all the love that she has given me and how happy I am to be in Gurudev Siddha Peeth. I could feel my whole body filled with excitement and, at the same time, I experienced a profound calmness within me.
 
As we paused, suddenly I felt like I was expressing my love to Gurumayi just like a puppy. I opened my eyes in laughter as I thought, "A puppy!? What a wonderful way of expressing unconditional love!"
 
Today, I look at the picture of Gurumayi with the dog, [number 12 in this series], and tears of recognition come to my eyes.
 
Thank you, Gurumayi!
 

Mexico City, Mexico

I have always loved seva, this mysterious practice of offering selfless service. I experience it as the most amazing and profound teaching in how we are not separate—because with each offering of seva, it is I who is also being rejuvenated, invigorated, centered, and made happier.

California, USA

Whenever I see this photograph of Gurumayi, I feel such incredible longing for meditation.  And yet, I do experience the stillness and silence of which Gurumayi speaks—when I am performing puja. The other night, as my attention drifted toward my puja during meditation, I heard Gurumayi’s voice within me, saying quite firmly, “Your puja is inside you!”
 

Sydney, Australia

Message 16 from Gurumayi says it all for me. I feel it miraculously answers my inner question as to what my focus should be these days. It guides me to focus on cultivating divine virtues on a daily basis, while experiencing the Guru’s love and grace whenever I connect with myself within.
 

Bangalore, India

I am so grateful for the steady wisdom and love of Gurumayi. As I received Gurumayi’s darshan through this passage, I felt a sense of peace and patience flow through my mind and heart. I began to experience a deeper feeling of my own self-worth. I began to trust that things were going to be OK. These words remind me that the Guru is always ready to share her grace and love.
 

California, USA

I have been away from home, working with a group of clients with diverse needs. I was not feeling totally at ease. Then, when I read these words of Gurumayi, my fear melted away, I experienced the love inside, and everything flowed in my work with my clients!

I am so grateful to Gurumayi for making her darshan available through the Siddha Yoga path website 24/7.

Thank you, Gurumayi!
 

Massachusetts, USA

This darshan brought me to my knees and then into my heart of hearts. I had fallen into seeing differences and feeling separate from my family members. Gurumayi’s words reminded me where I need to focus and rest my mind.
 
Thank you, Shree Guru, for picking me up again, dusting me off, and setting me in the loving direction of the heart!
 

Texas, USA

Gurumayi’s words are a great reminder to continue the practice of meditation and to remember that the divinity and splendor of my inner core are right here, inside me, and accessible!
 

New York, USA

I love the wisdom of Gurumayi’s teaching about the Guru Principle. I feel that this is the main teaching that I will be joyfully learning about and engaging with for the rest of my life. For me, understanding the Guru Principle is something I long for—not only an intellectual understanding, but a deeper understanding, all levels and at all times.

New York, USA

I was taught as a child to be modest and not claim, “I am great.” But Gurumayi’s teaching encourages me to experience my true greatness,   “invoking the presence of great virtues within…" As I look at Gurumayi’s picture with the leopard cub, one virtue I can think of is strength of heart, which allows me to understand and overcome the "wilder" aspects of myself—those ego-driven aspects that, when not “tamed,” could be harmful to myself and others.
 
Thank you, Gurumayi, for this healing and transformational guidance.
 

California, USA

Tears came to my eyes as I read "O Lord, reveal yourself in this person..." It was a reminder to me that God is in everyone, not just in the people I like or find pleasing to be around, but equally in the people whom I find difficult or challenging. May these words be ever in my awareness!
 
Thank you, Gurumayi, for the teaching in this beautiful prayer.

Missouri, USA

As I receive this teaching, I feel the stillness of nature arising within my heart. I feel myself returning to myself, just as Gurumayi describes nature as “always in the process of returning to itself.” What a soft, joyful, beautiful feeling arises within me!
 
I'm heading out now for a walk with my dog, with eyes and heart wide open to immerse myself in nature's state of meditation. 
 

Castlemaine, Australia

While I see the Guru’s presence through my eyes, it is felt in my heart. When I close my eyes, the Guru, the Self, is right here. I smile and relax into that presence.
 

New York, United States

After invoking the presence of Shri Guru as I sit before my puja, I start my meditation. After a few moments, I find myself immersed in divine light and experience no distinction between within and without. I am as pervasive as divine light, while absorbed in love and bliss.
 
After meditation, I find myself filled with happiness and enthusiasm, ready to carry out my daily activities with equanimity.
 

Udaipur, India

I was somewhat restless before seeing this photo and reading Gurumayi’s teaching about mantra, but as soon as I started to repeat the mantra, my mind became calm. I felt as if Gurumayi was touching my head and moving it gently.

Chennai, India

Recently, I have not been able to sit in my usual upright, balanced posture for meditation. I tried again this morning, finally adopting a posture that I had not found successful before. The difference this time was that I surrendered to the mantra and kept returning to it whenever my attention veered toward a negative feeling about the posture. I saw that I could simply use the problem as a tool to keep my mind engaged with the mantra, and then the feeling of wanting to give up faded. Gradually, I felt strength begin to surge through my body. And along with this strength, a gentle feeling of sweetness settled over me. Thus, my regular period of meditation was maintained.
 
After this experience, I found a teaching related to just this subject from the gallery of Gurumayi's Darshan and Wisdom. I felt that Gurumayi had provided the inspiration I needed before I even saw her words on the Siddha Yoga path website!
 

London, United Kingdom

I was deeply inspired by this quote of Gurumayi—and thankful for it!
 
It has reminded me that the practice of counting my blessings is transforming my outlook on life. I no longer look to what I think I need, or need to receive, in any situation. Rather, I practice remembering that in whatever way a situation is unfolding, it is for my own benefit: it may be there to strengthen my character, or to teach me to look deeper into myself, or to practice not judging myself and others and to come from a place of love instead.
 
This practice does not yet always come easily to me. It is, however, always available. And when I do remember to do it, it unfailingly changes my mood and brings me closer to my heart, and closer to God.
 

Jerusalem, Israel

In a meditation once, I received a card for a spiritual name from Gurumayi.  The card was blank; it had no name, just white light beaming out of it.  
 
Later, I wanted to confirm this experience in person. In darshan I asked Gurumayi for a spiritual name and her hand looked just like it does in this picture. Her words here about “the iridescent force of that light” help me realize that my goal is to keep striving to experience merging into this great light and to live from there.
 

Washington, United States

I do know that Gurumayi is with me. I have had faith in her love for me for many, many years. And I am convinced that I will attain the highest, with Gurumayi’s grace, guidance, and blessings.
 

Yautepec, Mexico