Our own experience of participating in Siddha Yoga saptāhs attests to the great value of this spiritual practice, which has been extolled through the ages in the Indian scriptures. In Patanjali Yogasutra the sage says:
sa tu dirgha-kala-nairantarya-satkara-asevito drdha-bhumih
A practice, when performed for an extended time with utmost regularity and devotion, becomes firmly established as part of the sādhaka’s being.
The participants in the Gurupurnima satsang were all deeply inspired to hear Gurumayi’s acknowledgement of the key sevites who had stepped forward as leaders to plan the satsang.
As Gurumayi was speaking, each of us silently expressed our gratitude to these dedicated Siddha Yogis who are role models of selfless service to Shri Guru.
As this historic satsang with Gurumayi via audio connection was approaching its culmination, Gurumayi spoke to us again, saying:
“All of you who are Gurukula Students in Gurudev Siddha Peeth, and all of you who are visiting sevites for this Gurupurnima, I want you to know that I feel I am actually in Gurudev Siddha Peeth, in Ganeshpuri. My heart is overflowing with love for you. And therefore I find it difficult to speak, because I don’t want to show my deep feeling in front of everyone.
This morning, when I came to the Temple to perform pūjā to Bade Baba, my heart was brimming with devotion.
Whenever I come into the Temple in Shree Muktananda Ashram, I feel I am in Gurudev Siddha Peeth. Whatever I see in Shree Muktananda Ashram, I think about how it could be applicable to Gurudev Siddha Peeth. In the years when I was traveling around the world on Teaching Visits, whatever place I might be visiting, in my heart I would think, ‘Would this be good for Gurudev Siddha Peeth? Can we do this in Gurudev Siddha Peeth? Will this flower bloom in Gurudev Siddha Peeth? Would the Gurukula students in Gurudev Siddha Peeth like this?’ So, whatever I do, it is for Gurudev Siddha Peeth. Even with the teachings on the Siddha Yoga path website I always think, ‘Will the devotees in India like it? Can those devotees learn from this? Can those devotees make progress in their sādhanā by studying these teachings on the Siddha Yoga path website?’
This love is very sincere, very beautiful, very deep. This thread of love is very strong. There is shakti in it.
Therefore when Meghna told me, ‘Gurumayi ji, these trainings can take place anywhere; the technology these days makes it very easy,’ I felt that Bade Baba ji and Baba ji had asked her to say this. That is the reason why this planning happened, and these three devīs [Rohini, Heather, and Jayashree] said to me, ‘We can do this, Gurumayi ji!’ I told them ‘It’s such short notice. What do you think Ami and Vipin bhaiya will say? What do you think the Gurudev Siddha Peeth Trustees will say? Will they think it’s possible to plan and hold this satsang in such a short timeframe?’ Rohini said, ‘It will not be necessary to inform the Trustees while planning this satsang. The standard procedure is for the sevites to do the groundwork, then the satsang takes place, and then the Trustees are informed in a full report.’ I said, ‘This is true.’ So at this point I want to address the Trustees of Gurudev Siddha Peeth and request that they understand that Rohini was very conscientious in following all procedures and so they can forgive her for not informing them.
This satsang is a matter of great joy, a matter of great love. This experience speaks for itself—no proclamation is needed. The river of love is flowing. We have experienced tremendous bliss in one another’s company, especially today, on the occasion of Gurupurnima. And your voices have such sweetness. So very much sweetness. Tell us—why is it that your voices are so sweet?”
Ami replied, “Someone here in the Intensive Hall is saying, ‘Gurumayi ji, it’s your voice that is emanating from our mouths!’”
We all laughed in the fullness of this shared ecstasy,
and Gurumayi said, “Very beautiful. Now we will sing
Gurudeva Hamara Pyara, and after that, good-bye—that is, good-bye from the audio link.”
Gurumayi then lovingly reminded us, “We all are always together through our hearts.”
Gurumayi asked, “Are you all ready to sing Gurudeva Hamara Pyara?”
We were only too happy to say “Yes!”
Every voice joined together once again to sing Gurudeva Hamara Pyara, the beautiful hymn written by Baba Muktananda for his Guru, Bhagavan Nityananda.
Our hearts had been drenched in the waterfall of the Guru’s grace and now overflowed with gratitude. Baba’s words perfectly expressed our experience of celebrating Gurupurnima with our beloved Shri Gurumayi.
Know the Guru to be your own life.
Consider the Guru to be your body, mind, and wealth—your all in all.
The Guru alone can take us across the ocean of this world.
Our Gurudeva is beloved to us. The Guru is our life’s support.
Sadgurunath Maharaj ki Jay!
Sadgurunath Maharaj ki Jay!
Sadgurunath Maharaj ki Jay!