Gurumayi’s words, “Wake up Grow up,” guide me to enlarge my focus to more fully include others and the world.
Riberas del Pilar, Mexico
For me this
sukta is an invitation to be awake and alert to the teachings; to imbibe them, to grow, and to make no excuses—so I can touch, feel, listen, and follow what my heart is saying with a gentle smile and a sense of purpose.
Thank you, Gurumayi!
Johannesburg, South Africa
The “Effortless Effort” teachings are a continuing source of wonder and reflection for me. The teaching "Wake up, Grow up, and follow the mandate of your Heart” especially resounds for me. My heart's mandate, I've realized, has to include the small yet essential tasks that I keep putting off—and it also includes the practices I love. I want to continue chanting, and I want to increase my meditation time when at home and alone.
I pray for grace to support me to be truly awake and grown-up.
New York, USA
I am grateful for this teaching. I feel grounded when I read it. This teaching reminds me that it is important to be open. I am also reminded to not get caught up in the mind's melodrama, but to grow up on the inside and move on with understanding.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for your infinite grace and wisdom.
Florida, USA
This teaching really touched me, especially the command to "grow up." I’ve been looking back at the past thirty years and reflecting on the process of maturing. I see that I've become more aware of myself and honest with myself about my faults and gifts and strengths. I have also become much more aware of my Self.
The Siddha Yoga teachings and practices have been key to this process. Through meditation, I've been able to notice what's going on inside while my life unfolds on the outside. I've been able to hear my heart's mandate to love and forgive everyone, including myself, and return to the bliss of the Self again and again! I'm still practicing and learning and growing up.
North Carolina, USA
I found this teaching from Gurumayi to be very powerful and, for the past few days, I have been returning to it throughout each day.
It has taken many years for me to begin to understand what it means to "grow up" on the spiritual path. For a long time I thought I had to somehow force this—as I tried to do when I was a child, pushing myself to be more grown up as quickly as possible. But, through engaging with the Siddha Yoga practices and teachings, I am discovering that maturing happens automatically as I apply myself to spiritual practice with regularity. Rather than overdoing things, I am learning to slow down and focus on the quality of my work rather than the quantity.
When I read the words "…follow the mandate of your Heart," my heart seemed to open in recognition and I could feel that, yes, my heart does have a clear directive for this life and that it is my dharma to recognize it and live it!
Berlin, Germany
For me, these clear and succinct teachings go straight to the heart of the matter. Throughout the day I find myself contemplating them, comparing them to how I am conducting myself, and noticing where I can improve.
Oakville, Canada
When I first read these words by Gurumayi, I laughed, thinking it was about other people. But then I stopped and asked myself, how does this apply to me? I could see that there are many ways in which I could "grow up," both emotionally and spiritually. I contemplated how I measure my progress on the spiritual path. It isn't about how many hours I meditate or chant, or how much I read the scriptures. It is about how I treat myself and others. The practices are gradually making me a better person.
Thank you, Gurumayi.
Wisconsin, USA
This teaching reminds me to always be mindful and to offer my very best to the world. Offering my very best every day is one way I can demonstrate the gratefulness I feel for all the blessings that have been bestowed upon my family. My heart feels full of love.
Thank you, Gurumayi!
Massachusetts, USA