This sweet share reminds that the Guru knows what is right for a seeker in the moment. I also appreciate the parent’s instruction to the son to stand up for himself, to ask for what he wants—and at such a young age! I had a similar experience during my first
darshan with Gurumayi ji.
Reading experiences of other Siddha Yogis reminds me of my own experiences and connects me with Shri Guru and with all the love I have received on this path.
Pune, India
This wonderful story reminded me of an experience I had with Gurumayi many years ago.
I was offering seva in the Annapurna kitchen at Shree Muktananda Ashram. One morning, Gurumayi came into the kitchen and gave two beautiful saris to two women offering seva there. I thought to myself, “It would be really nice to also have a gift,” although I was okay without one.
Gurumayi turned to talk with her secretary, who then left; she returned with the biggest box of Godiva chocolates I’d ever seen—with maybe 150 pieces of chocolate inside it. Gurumayi had the secretary hand me the box of chocolates. Gurumayi told me, “Give these chocolates to all of your people: the people in the kitchen, in the Amrit, and in the bakery.” I knew in that moment that it wasn’t a tangible gift that I had wanted but rather to serve the Guru and to experience her love.
Interestingly, I am still serving—and a few years later I married the secretary! Gurumayi’s blessings are so abundant.
New York, United States
When I read the part of this story in which the little boy was running around and shouting Om Namah Shivaya, I became breathless. It touched a place of love inside of me and I felt reverence and awe.
Washington, United States
What a great story!
I love how the parent supported the two-year-old son in asking Gurumayi all by himself for what he wanted! As a parent to a young adult, I am still learning to do this. And I am deeply moved by the Guru’s mysterious ways. I did not expect Gurumayi to say “no” to the toddler. Yet, what this toddler has received from Gurumayi is the greatest gift of all—and so much greater than just the sweet he wanted.
This story opened my heart.
New York, United States
Last year, when I first read this share, what stood out for me most was the determination of the little boy to get a sweet.
However, today, when I read this story again, what stood out was how the boy’s initial desire to receive a sweet transformed, through the years, into a desire to offer sweets to others.
I have thought about how it could be that last year I found the first part of the story more important and yet, this year, the second part stands out more. This has made me notice how partial my mind can be. It has also shown me how important it is to revisit stories and teachings. This enables me to imbibe more aspects of them, and, with time, perhaps to better understand them in their entirety.
Hindelang, Germany
This very beautiful story reminded me that the essence of the Guru’s words is often understood much later, and they never have just one literal meaning. To comprehend the Guru’s words, I need more than just listening to them. They are a treasure for me to keep close to my heart. Especially in the moments I feel low, it is the Guru’s words that uplift my mood and everything else, guiding me to deeper discoveries and meanings.
Gurgaon, India
Gurumayi’s “No” must have sounded like a rejection to the little boy in this story. In that way, the first part of the story could happen anywhere in the world. Yet the second part is extremely special, breathtaking, a wonder.
I admire the way that the boy’s parent supported their son’s own effort and his determination. They didn’t spare him “failure”; they didn't even translate for him. They just encouraged him until he reached his true goal.
Hindelang, Germany
Hearing this story reminded me that the Guru has so much more to give us than we can even imagine. The story tells me that I can settle for momentary pleasure and good feelings—or I can approach
sadhana with “sweet determination” to receive deeper knowledge and the ultimate freedom of the Self.
New York, United States
This story touched me very deeply because something similar happened to me.
Once, when I was very new to the Siddha Yoga path, I saw Gurumayi distributing japa malas. I also wanted a beautiful japa mala. When I offered pranam to Gurumayi during darshan, she dropped a japa mala on my back, right over my heart chakra. I was shocked, but at the same time this question arose in me: “Inside or outside?” My answer was “Inside”—and so I went back to my seat in the hall without picking up the mala.
In that moment Gurumayi did not give me a japa mala; instead, she gave me shaktipat, the awakening of the divine Kundalini Shakti, for which I had waited lifetime after lifetime. And in so doing, she gave me a supreme teaching.
Unterlangenegg, Switzerland
I felt very connected to Gurumayi while reading this story. In my experience too, I have seen that the Guru knows what our beautiful destination is and will be our “navigator” in guiding us to get there.
Tumsar, India