Namaste.
Gurumayi has given the title “Be in the Temple” for these live video stream satsangs from the Bhagavan Nityananda Temple. How fortunate we are—each and every one of us—to be able to participate in these satsangs while many of us are “sheltering in place” during the lockdown that’s in effect in most regions of the world because of COVID-19.
As Swami Ishwarananda said in the satsang this past Thursday, April 16: although we have technically been staying apart from one another, by Gurumayi’s grace we are more together than ever before. When Swami ji said that, it really resonated with me. It reminded me of how, at the conclusion of Shaktipat Intensives, Gurumayi would say, “We are always connected in our hearts.”
During this period of hardship, we are experiencing this connection to the Guru—and within the sangham—more tangibly than ever before. I offer much gratitude for the Guru’s grace.
We are all on the Siddha Yoga path.
We are all carrying the light of the Guru’s grace.
Recently, someone shared with me that a Siddha Yogi friend of hers calls this time “sheltering in grace.” How perfect, and how true, is that! We are indeed sheltering in grace. And ever since we received shaktipat, that has been our way of life. I offer much gratitude for the Guru’s grace.
Gurumayi has taught us that we must learn to observe how nature acts and reacts, conceals seeds and displays blossoms; how nature is both gentle and fierce, kind and brutal, glorious and ferocious. Whatever robes nature dons, we have the opportunity to respect her in all her regalia.
In Shree Muktananda Ashram during April, we all thought that springtime had finally arrived and that we had waved goodbye to the tempests of winter. Why do I say that? Because in the month of April, we’ve been treated to the vibrant colors of bushes and flowers on the Ashram grounds. There have been hundreds of tulips, daffodils, forsythias, hyacinths, grape hyacinths, crocuses, periwinkles, magnolias, and azaleas.
The trees by Lake Nityananda and around the Ashram are all merrily bursting into bloom. The list goes on.
Every day we’ve heard more birds chirping and started seeing the new spring arrivals—robins, red-winged blackbirds, geese, sparrows, flickers, and phoebes.
Just when we were getting more and more mesmerized by the intoxicating sounds and colors of the spring season, yesterday evening we were served with another winter treat.
A light rain began to fall. The raindrops were commingled with little white flakes of…not rain. We woke up this morning to see that heaven had sent us almost seven inches of snow, creating a scintillating white blanket over the whole Ashram.
Yes, we were shocked—but then as I said earlier, we’ve also been taught to respect nature’s whims.
Gurumayi has shared with me that in India, Murphy’s Law is called Murphy ka Bhagavan. So here it is. We thought it was the spring season, yet according to Murphy ka Bhagavan, winter is actually not quite over in Shree Muktananda Ashram.
I am not asking you to feel any sympathy for me—who was so looking forward to the warm weather. But if you want to empathize, you are most welcome to send your warm wishes my way!☺
Each Saturday evening in the “Be in the Temple” satsangs, we’ve been participating in a namasankirtana after the arati. However, tonight, we are honoring the global event “One World: Together at Home,” which is being put on by the World Health Organization and the Global Citizen group. This live video stream will conclude soon after I invite you all to join me in singing “Sadgurunath Maharaj ki Jay.”
Many of us understand that music is such an inherently potent vehicle for the heart to communicate its deepest feelings. I have seen so many heart-stirring videos from country after country of people in lockdown who still find ways to make music together from their balconies, windows, and rooftops—singing and playing instruments and uplifting one another through music. Videos from Italy, Spain, Iraq, India, Lebanon, Germany, Croatia—and I’m sure that’s not the half of it.
And I heard that yesterday evening in New York City many people joined their voices at the same hour to sing the famous song “New York, New York”! The reason I am mentioning this in Bade Baba’s Temple is that in some of the old Super 8 movies I’ve seen of Bade Baba, there are hundreds and hundreds of people singing and dancing and playing instruments in front of him. They are raising a musical ruckus!
Therefore, I think Bade Baba would be very pleased with the “One World: Together at Home” event tonight.
As you may know, this event is not a fundraiser—its purpose is to honor healthcare workers everywhere and to show support and solidarity for the untold good they are doing in this world, constantly risking their lives to save the lives of others.
In this event there will be performances by a cavalcade of recording artists, comedians, and other entertainers. There will also be stories from those on the frontlines of this crisis—the doctors, the nurses, the grocery store workers.
This “One World” event makes me so proud of humanity. And as a musician, I especially appreciate how musicians and other artists have banded together to help produce this event—to uplift our spirits, to give more courage and stamina to healthcare workers, to financially support those who are struggling during this time, and so much more.
On the Siddha Yoga path, we know from our firsthand experience that the vibrations of music have inestimable healing powers. So if you have time, and if it fits with your time zone, I highly recommend that you all participate in this event to show your support. We are One World.
Thank you all—you who are most courageous and sweet.
Adios to all of you who are remaining steadfast
in your fight against the rampant and disruptive virus.
Farewell, my dear friends.
Think well, all you good people.
Do well, all the children of this world.
Be well, all the sweethearts.
Stay well, all the wise elders.
May we stay safe, each and every one of us.
Let us stay connected to our own hearts.
Let us stay connected with our Siddha Yoga sangham.
May we trust that our future is bright.