For the last several months I’ve been studying these commentaries on the words of Gurumayi's Message for 2015. In this commentary on the word “Easefully,” the writers tell us that Gurumayi is inviting us “to create space for the natural unfolding of grace” in our meditation practice. Then I read the words, "One can visualize this flow as the steady pouring of oil, streaming silent and uninterrupted toward the Self."
As I contemplated this, the question arose: Do we meditate on the Self or does the Self meditate on the Self? Then I realized that
this is the turning we are doing. Our Self is turning to look back on our own Self. That steady pouring of oil may, at first, appear to be flowing out. But in reality, it is flowing in a circle—from Self to Self.
I am happy to know that my Self is the one turning within to my own Self.
Washington, USA
While studying Gurumayi’s Message,
Turn Inward Meditate Easefully, the word
Easefully has had a very powerful, positive, and healing impact on me. The commentary on this word of the Message has proved helpful, too.
While this is a great reminder for me to allow myself to glide into meditation, it is also permeating my awareness in routine activities. Thinking of
easefully, I aspire to align myself more and more with my natural
dharma, natural inclinations, and natural tendencies. This is taking me forward in a beautiful direction.
Also, as a whole, Gurumayi’s Message is a very reassuring guiding light for me this year. I have so much gratitude for her care and love.
Bangalore, India
When I first looked at the beautiful graphic of the word
Easefully, I noticed the letter
f dancing along—holding up the
e and the
u on either side. It made me smile.
Some of the feelings this golden word evoked in me were: supported, spontaneous, joyful, in good company, and light-filled. Then when I read the teaching on the word
Easefully, I found a validation of my feelings and understanding.
I am deeply touched by Gurumayi's blessing for us to meditate naturally and gracefully.
Sydney, Australia
Since gathering with friends and family in our home for
A Sweet Surprise satsang, I have had so many experiences of
Easefulness. I find myself remembering to be easeful throughout the day—when I sit down to meditate for a few minutes in the morning, and as I go about my job and household activities.
The act of keeping Gurumayi's Message in my awareness is lifting a heavy feeling of depletion that I had been experiencing for a long time. I feel that the Message for 2015 carries not only my Guru's instruction, but also her unwavering support. My meditation practice feels completely new (and easy!), quiet, and truly profound. Reinforcements to support me in experiencing a sense of ease throughout the day are coming from within and without. I am so grateful.
Massachusetts, USA
Thank you, dear Swami Shantananda and Maitreya Larios, for the generous
seva you offered to lead us deeper into the understanding of each word of Gurumayi's Message. This gives me a fresh and clearer focus for my study of the Message and my practice of meditation.
As I read your elaboration on the word
Easefully, the phrase "Make yourself at home" came to my mind. I thought of being at home, where I feel welcomed, comfortable, cozy, and relaxed; where I am more myself than anywhere else. I can't wait to meditate with the awareness of being in my inner home!
Massachusetts, USA
I am thankful for the beautiful and transformative Message Gurumayi has given for this year. Here we are at the end of January, and my life has already changed in so many ways. My meditations are deeper, I am more clear and confident in my everyday life, my body is feeling stronger, and my sleep patterns have improved. Goodness knows what I will be like by the end of the year!
I have especially been guided by continuing to practice the
dharana Gurumayi gave in
A Sweet Surprise satsang. This has helped me to feel much more integrated in my life and to know the Guru’s grace and love in all aspects of it.
Gurumayi, I am so blessed that you came into my life. Thank you for these and all your blessings.
Victoria, Australia
I feel as though I am being given permission, or better yet, the invitation to do everything with ease. It’s as though ease is waiting there for me not only when I meditate, but also when I drive, converse, chew my food—and then my relationship with time changes. It’s as if I’ve been able to slow down to twenty miles per hour, even as the swirling around me has gotten faster. I am able to more fully experience the present moment.
California, USA
For years, I have felt that I was not a meditator. I would meditate as part of giving myself to the practices of Siddha Yoga, though without much hope for myself in that direction.
Seva and chanting have been the easeful practices for me. Now, with Gurumayi’s Message for 2015, my sense of meditation and my relationship with the mind have shifted. A new gentleness and attentiveness naturally occur as I let go of pushing and judgment.
New York, USA
It happens for me while I’m working, effortlessly. It is meditation with my eyes open. It’s very strong. It lasts for a few seconds, sometimes a few minutes. I experience the Guru’s grace so profoundly. Nothing can move or disturb that state. It’s happening very often nowadays. I dive in and bathe in the ocean of grace.
New Jersey, USA
Last evening, as I contemplated what
Easefully means for me, I saw myself in the Bhagavan Nityananda Temple in Shree Muktananda Ashram. I was sitting there so naturally, feeling welcomed by Bade Baba’s divine words, "The Heart is the hub of all sacred places. Go there and roam." What an extraordinary meditation! I really felt that I was with God and God was with me.
Thank you, Gurumayi.
Naples, Italy
These definitions and commentary beautifully reflect my experience of Siddha Yoga meditation over many years of practice. The experience has become even stronger since I received Gurumayi's Message for 2015 in
A Sweet Surprise satsang.
Like the "steady pouring of oil," I experienced Gurumayi's grace flowing through the words of the Message, and also through her teachings on the Siddha Yoga path website. For example, every day this week I've begun meditation by silently repeating the words, “Always make space for the presence of LOVE, and make it visible” from Gurumayi's poem, "One Special Mandate.” As I repeat these words, I become aware of the space in my body; then physical boundaries dissolve, and my awareness expands into the vast, love-filled space of the Eternal.
This blessed time spent in meditation each day allows me to practice making love visible through my actions. My heart overflows with gratitude to my beloved Gurumayi.
Massachusetts, USA
Here, in Gurudev Siddha Peeth, in the department where I offer
seva, we have been coming together for thirty minutes each morning to explore our understanding of Gurumayi's Message for 2015. We were inspired to start doing this immediately after participating in
A Sweet Surprise satsang on January 1.
We have studied dictionary definitions for each word and shared our understanding and experiences of these words. It was amazing to see how this study helped me to deepen my understanding of the Message and to keep it in my awareness throughout the day.
Two days ago, we were discussing the word
Easefully. A Spanish-speaking person shared that in Spanish, “easefully” can translate as “naturally.”
Today, after reading the same definition on the website, I felt we were aligned with the
shakti, and I experienced immense gratitude.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for your Message for 2015.
Gurudev Siddha Peeth
Ever since I participated in
A Sweet Surprise satsang, I've been using the meditation instructions that Gurumayi gave on that day. When I read the Sanskrit definition of
Easefully, my attention was drawn to the fact that my body, mind, and heart have all been at ease at the same time during meditation. This was not the case before; one or the other of them often seemed to be uncomfortable. It is almost as if my entire being has relaxed in the recognition that this Message can take me to the goal.
Sydney, Australia
As I've reflected on each word of the Siddha Yoga Message for 2015 and studied the words throughout the day, I've felt a deepening into the meaning of the Message for my meditation practice and for my life.
Today, I felt totally in sync with the Message. My daily meditation practice was so natural and easy, and the experience of meditation naturally and easefully spilled over into my awareness throughout the whole day. I felt close to the inner Self and intimately close to the Guru principle as life unfolded in interactions and events.
It was reassuring to remember that meditation is, by its very nature, easeful—something that happens naturally and spontaneously—and that the effect it has on my entire life is also a natural and easeful process.
Texas, USA
All the definitions of the words in Gurumayi’s Message are illuminating. They have deepened my appreciation of Gurumayi’s intention and will provide delicious food for thought throughout the year. Thank you!
I love the way the word
Easefully is defined here and the way it brings the whole Message together. The definition reinforces the feeling of grace I experience as I repeat the Message as a mantra when I meditate. And it makes me more aware of the natural, effortless way the Message brings me to my heart and instills peace when I remember it during the day.
Kentucky, USA