My father was a noble, gentle, God-loving man. He was also a fantastic gardener. One highlight of my life is the day Mom and Dad visited Shree Muktananda Ashram. As we strolled through the grounds, my dad stopped to talk to a gardener who was tending to some gorgeous, enormous pink roses. I had heard this gardener speak of her experience with roses the day before. She had shared seeing roses turn to blue light and light up her heart.
A few hours later, we had
darshan with Gurumayi. Indeed, this was a most special day—to have the opportunity to introduce my parents to Gurumayi. With a huge smile on her face, Gurumayi handed my dad an enormous and perfect pink rose. Remembering this experience always brings me so much joy and gratitude.
New York, United States
On my way to join friends for dinner on Thanksgiving Day, I stopped at a red light. It was a very long red light, but I was happy, patient, and anticipating a wonderful time on this day of gratitude.
Just one block later, the next light turned red. I felt a little impatience crop up, so I turned my thoughts to Baba’s teaching: “Everything happens for the best.” Then I looked up and saw an exquisite rainbow that I would have missed if the light had not turned red!
New York, United States
How grateful am I to receive this gift—this opportunity to share my own experience of “the ever-giving rose.”
Once, as I was leaving Bhagavan Nityananda Temple in Shree Muktananda Ashram, I was given prasad—a beautiful, dark-red rose. As the rose touched my outstretched palms, I felt intense happiness. I walked in this state to the meditation hall, sat down, and closed my eyes. Effortlessly, my attention flowed to the area in the middle of my chest. There, in a shimmering glow of blueish light, appeared the red-rose prasad that Bade Baba had blessed me with. A grace-inspired feeling whispered, “The Heart is the abode of all sacred places. Meditate on That.”
I offer my thanks to Bade Baba. It’s been more than twenty years since then, and the Heart keeps on giving.
New York, United States
What a blessing to read this beautiful share!
I had a similar experience today during my morning walk around my city park. All of a sudden a memory about meeting Gurumayi at Lake Nityananda many years ago came up in my mind and filled my heart completely. Her presence was so strong so that I started laughing and crying at the same time.
Never, ever, ever are we without Gurumayi’s grace—“the ever-giving rose.” My heart is filled with love and gratitude for the Guru’s presence in my life.
Cologne, Germany
At my first Shaktipat Intensive with Baba Muktananda, at the moment I received initiation, a voice welled up inside of me, saying, “My love is enough.”
Throughout my sadhana, Gurumayi has continued to show me the way to my inner Self, and has given me innumerable teachings and tools to find my own inner love, to understand its completeness and value. Years ago, after my father met Gurumayi and began practicing Siddha Yoga himself, Gurumayi said to me one day during darshan, “Your love gave him shaktipat.”
I think about this often and am learning again and again to respect the power of love as it emanates from my being. We are all unique expressions of love and, in this way, we are all unique gifts to the world. Respecting love and giving love are wonderful ways to give thanks.
New York, United States