I have been so inspired by the power and conviction in Gurumayi's words that I have embarked on an experiment. I silently repeat Gurumayi’s name, invoke her presence in my heart, and ask myself, “If Gurumayi were looking out through my eyes right now, what would her experience be?"
Then I get quiet. 
 
The first thing that happens is… I smile. Then I notice a softening inside as my heart smiles. I experience a connection to, and a universal love for, whatever comes into my awareness: a person, a dog, a flower, a bird, a wave, the sky. It all feels sacred and precious, like the most beautiful thing ever created. This practice of invoking Gurumayi transforms my state instantly, giving me a profound experience of unity. 
 
Thank you, beloved Gurumayi, for the gift of your presence and inspiration.

West Vancouver, Canada

Janmadin ki Jay Jay!

While reading Gurumayi's talk, I felt as if I was sitting in Shri Nilaya, listening to her speak. Afterwards, I closed my eyes and connected with my heart in meditation. I visualized Gurumayi sitting in my heart and smiling at me—her shining face, full of radiance and energy, brought me deeper and deeper into meditation and everything dissolved into a blue, shimmering light. When I came out of meditation, tears were rolling down my cheeks. I felt I had received darshan of Gurumayi in the form of the blue light.  

With folded hands, I bow to the lotus feet of Gurumayi. Thank you, Gurumayi, for always being with me, in my heart.
 

Lucknow, India

I am so happy to hear how much Gurumayi enjoyed her birthday!

Thank you, beloved Gurumayi, for uplifting our hearts by sharing your birthday experience with us. Thank you, for letting us know that we are in your heart, just as you are in ours. 

Queretaro, Mexico

These words from Gurumayi’s talk struck me deeply: “…you must have a position within yourself. That’s what really matters.”

I have been repeating these words to myself, carrying them with me as a personal treasure. They are bringing me straight to my heart—where I know I want to be. They are reminding me of the Message for this year. And they are letting me know that, no matter what may appear to be important in the moment, staying connected with my center is most important and will bring me the deepest satisfaction.

Massachusetts, USA

I am reading this talk on the day before my own birthday, so it comes at the perfect time for me! Remembering to nurture the virtues that are already inside of me will be my number one priority as I begin this birthday year. As I do this, I will also be nurturing the virtues in my children, by my example.

Thank you, dearest Gurumayi, for reminding me to live up to my fullest potential, not just for my own benefit, but for my children and the world around me.

Veracruz, Mexico

While reading this beautiful talk, I felt so much love from Gurumayi. The talk quieted my thoughts and made my heart expand with love.

Cuttack, India

On Gurumayi's birthday, I spoke with many Siddha Yogis around the country and in the global sangham, and I truly felt everyone's love and gratitude for Gurumayi. It seemed to me that boundless love for Gurumayi was flowing throughout the whole world. I feel that love was a reflection of the kiss that Gurumayi blew to the world!

Janmadin Ki Jay Jay!

Gandhinagar, India

Gurumayi's description of the young boy's vision for his life awakened in me lost memories of my own childhood. I too had a simple yearning to know God and longed for peace in the world. As I read Gurumayi's talk, I remembered being touched by God's grace as a child and recalled my plans for the ways I would help people less fortunate than I was.

Then I strolled along a beach close to my home. It was dusk, and many children were still playing by the water’s edge, creating silhouettes against the backdrop of a flaming red sky above a mountain range. I had thought of my childhood as dull, but as I walked along the beach, reflected on Gurumayi's birthday talk, and listened to the rolling waves, I reclaimed the beauty, purity, and magic of my childhood.

This morning I start again with a new vision of myself.

Thank you, thank you, beloved Gurumayi.

Noosa, Australia

I remember Baba speaking about the difficulty of thanking one's Guru for all that he gives. The longer I am on the Siddha Yoga path, the more I understand the predicament: Every word from the Guru is a jewel and more than enough for a lifetime of contemplation; every satsang is a gift more valuable than words can describe. The gifts are countless. And still Gurumayi gives more and more.

Thank you for taking birth, Gurumayi.

Aichach, Germany

Gurumayi’s words of love and compassion continue to resonate within me. And, hearing the boy’s wish to spread peace felt like a wake-up call for me. I understood that if I want to live in harmony and peace with others I need to cultivate sadguna vaibhava, the inner virtues. The boy's spirit—and Gurumayi’s encouragement—give me greater enthusiasm to practice each virtue with more clarity, and with a deeper understanding of its impact, not only in my life, but in the lives I touch too.

Montreal, Canada

I dreamed this morning that I was sitting in an empty auditorium with Gurumayi. The room had a sunset peach glow and felt beautiful and peaceful. Gurumayi and I talked of many things, but when I woke up, I could only remember that Gurumayi had asked me about my children. Wishing that I could recall more, I went to my computer and read Gurumayi's talk, Infinite Birthday Thanks.

I began remembering my children’s words of wisdom over the years. I had taken them to be with Gurumayi every summer for 16 years, and I realized how much I appreciate who they’ve become now as adults. Then my oldest daughter happened to call. I told her about some of the sweet and profound things she’d said when she was growing up. We laughed, and she said she couldn’t wait to read Gurumayi’s talk.

Thank you, Gurumayi, for helping me remember these tender moments and for always loving us.

Washington, USA

When Gurumayi shared about having darshan of the pearl and the diamond in the early morning sky, I remembered a meditation experience I’d had the night before.

I had experienced a vision of a large, beautiful white pearl. Using a visualization I practice to move my awareness toward the madhya, I then pictured a huge space opening up in the landscape of my awareness––a doorway to the Self.

But this time when the space opened up, a diamond appeared to be floating in the light. Seeing this, I chided myself and thought, “Pearls and diamonds! Stop thinking about jewels—just descend into the light!” So I did, and my meditation continued. 

The next morning when I heard Gurumayi’s description of her birthday sunrise, I was awe-struck and delighted! I gently laughed at myself as I understood that whatever experience God bestows during meditation is a precious gift and worthy of being received as such.

Thank you, Gurumayi, for your teachings, and for sharing your birthday sunrise with us!

Shree Muktananda Ashram

I am so grateful to Gurumayi for sharing her birthday talk! I am inspired to keep a notebook with my children's experiences, so we'll all remember their wisdom and how much they've been supported on the Siddha Yoga path.

Massachusetts, USA

As I sit here at my kitchen table reading this exquisite exchange between Gurumayi and the young Siddha Yogi, my eyes are filled with tears of wonder and my heart is overflowing with appreciation. I feel blessed to share the moment in Shri Nilaya while here in my home. I am so grateful to receive my Guru's grace and the awareness that we are always in each other's hearts.

Massachusetts, USA

When I read these words of the young boy, “The four directions and the eight directions don’t exist. It’s all one. It’s all one. We’re all connected, no matter which way we go. We all come back to that center,” I resonated so deeply with what he was saying. And I received fresh inspiration for my practice of focusing on the center of my being. I am still contemplating this young boy’s sharing.

Gurudev Siddha Peeth

As I read Gurumayi’s words, I remember my own childhood experiences. When I was a child, my mother encouraged me to write them down, and I have them in little journals. Little treasures. I have not had experiences like those again. I have had other experiences, but different and more subtle. I value these childhood experiences very much. Now, soon to become a mother myself, I feel so much gratitude.

Thank you, Gurumayi for being here, in my heart, and there, and everywhere.

Madrid, Spain

I was so touched when Gurumayi shared that she was on the rooftop and felt so much love for all of us. Her words entered my heart and filled me with bliss. I felt so connected to the Guru's love. I had to be at a funeral of a dear friend today. However, even though I felt deep sadness inside myself, I was also bathing in an ocean of bliss. I was not disturbed by the sadness because the bliss felt more real. It was such an amazing experience.

Großkarolinenfeld, Germany

Reading such wisdom and purity from an eleven-year-old child brought tears of gratitude to my eyes. Thank you, beloved Gurumayi, for all you make available here on the Siddha Yoga path website. It is a boundless space, for all to come to drink from the nectar of the highest teachings!

Alger, Algeria