Reading Gurumayi’s poem, I was drawn to the line “
Wave the sparkler of mantras all around you.”
I have always associated a sparkler with the joyful celebration of freedom. Holding this feeling, I envisioned myself waving glittering mantras into the universe
– Om Namah Shivaya – Guru Om – So’ham.
With my eyes closed, I mentally began to rotate in a circle. At first, the images of my familiar world were distinct, as were the emotions I was feeling at the moment
– sadness, and anxiety. But as I reached a quarter turn, I noticed that the images began to blur, like sidewalk chalk paintings in the rain. I continued to repeat the mantras and rotate, and as I reached the 180 degree point, the colors merged into a beautiful golden light, suffused with peace. The limiting emotions vanished. I became aware that
all that I had witnessed around me – the objects, the emotions, and the light – co-exist simultaneously. I felt myself at the center of the circle, in a place of unshakeable steadiness, and deep tranquility.
Wisconsin, United States
The blessings in Gurumayi's poem were like a balm for me.
I was so pleased to read in one of the shares from New York that Gurumayi had asked, “What constellations are visible above Shree Muktananda Ashram on the night of Deepavali this year?,” and then incorporated them in her design for the poem's title. I look at the stars every night before I go to bed. It's such a comfort to know the stars I'm seeing are the same ones the Guru sees. It helps me feel connected to the Guru.
Hawaii, United States
For me, this illuminating poem at once names, reveals, and heals the sorrow of loss, the anguish of change. This gracious poem arrives near the culmination of a twelve-month period of rebirth that I have experienced in spirit, in body, and in understanding. I just reread the poem and, amid tears of recognition, the sensation that pieces of me are falling into place is palpable.
I am so very grateful for the countless ways the Guru reaches into my deeepest heart and cleanses it with her vision.
Texas, United States
I am grateful for Gurumayi’s guidance on how I can welcome happiness and prosperity at this time of new beginnings. Her words help me focus on what is beneficial and how I can increase the well-being of myself, my family, and my society.
Pune, India
I find this poem so inspiring. I read it daily and it reminds me, so beautifully, to greet each person I meet as a friend, or an esteemed guest. Since I have begun this practice there is so much love and lightness in my interactions with people. It’s so wonderful and uplifting.
Washington, United States
How fortunate I feel in this time of new beginnings to receive Gurumayi’s moving Deepavali poem. Gurumayi's words inspire me to reflect on my life and my
sadhana, and to find ways I can put into practice the teachings in this poem.
Repeating and writing down some of the words from the poem help me to remember them. I can feel the Guru’s blessings as I make a greater effort to “act with consideration” and to have “patience and forbearance.”
I'm deeply grateful for this shining Deepavali gift.
Massachusetts, United States
I am grateful to Gurumayi for this inspiring abundance of great blessings, given to all of us. I experience Gurumayi’s deep compassion and wisdom pouring from every line, teaching me and encouraging me.
New York, United States
Reading Gurumayi’s poem, I experienced my beloved Guru’s blessings shower upon me, and immense gratitude and love filled my heart.
I feel empowered with renewed courage and intention: with such a Guru and such blessings I am ready to face the world with absolute fearlessness.
Thank you, my beloved Gurumayi! Deepavali has never been as glorious for me as it is right now.
Milano, Italy
Gurumayi’s love-filled, beautiful poem brings me to the heart of Deepavali as well as deep within, to my own heart.
Thank you, Gurumayi! May we all be joined in this love today, and always!
Maine, United States
Reading Gurumayi’s poem, I imagine that as I strike a match, the spark extends in every possible direction.
This awareness brings me into harmony and unison with those who celebrate the beauty and meaning of light, unbounded by distance, walls, and borders.
Gurumayi’s words elevate my perspective remarkably.
St. Lazare, Canada
This morning as I read the English translation of Gurumayi’s poem, I felt my entire being enveloped in a warm, golden light. The bright, jubilant energy of the poem soothed an uneasiness I had been experiencing recently about some things happening in my life. As I contemplated the poem’s teachings, I could sense tremendous courage and clarity of purpose welling up inside me. I loved imagining all of us across the globe enveloped in this same warm, golden light, the great light of our beloved Gurumayi, through her poem.
Then, in the
satsang in celebration of Deepavali in Shree Muktananda Ashram, the host explained that when Gurumayi was creating the design for her poem she wondered:
What constellations are visible above Shree Muktananda Ashram on the night of Deepavali this year?
At Gurumayi’s request, the sevites who were working on the design looked for constellations in the night sky. They did a search for the stars above the northeastern U.S.A. and showed them to Gurumayi. Gurumayi picked a photo from NASA, depicting a beautiful cluster of stars that includes part of the Taurus constellation: the head of Taurus, the bull.
Gurumayi then asked if this constellation would be visible from Shree Muktananda Ashram. So, these sevites contacted a Siddha Yogi, an astronomer with knowledge and skill at discerning the placement of stars in the cosmos, and he did research on this image. He confirmed that these stars would appear over Shree Muktananda Ashram on the night of Deepavali, October 27, 2019.
I experienced this story as yet another gift of Gurumayi’s poem. Whether I’m seeing this constellation in the sky over the Ashram or over my home, and even if it’s hidden by rain clouds—I know I am linked with everyone around the world who is viewing these stars on the Siddha Yoga path website. Isn’t that amazing! Tonight, we are all basking in the light of the same stars.
New York, United States
Through the gift of this poem, I feel that Gurumayi has entered my humble studio apartment here in New York City, and we are sweetly, happily, joyfully lighting Deepavali lamps together. We're offering
puja together to the great light that is holding us all in the embrace of its protection and love.
I am grateful for this poem’s astonishingly beautiful teaching and vibrant blessing. And I am grateful for my life and my divine destiny as I offer
puja to the light of my own Self, to the light that exists in everyone and everything, and to the blazing light that is my own beloved Guru.
New York, United States
On this cloudy, grey morning, as I was reading aloud the Hindi words of Gurumayi’s poetry, I recognized some words but not their meaning. When I finished my reading, I saw that no translation into other languages had appeared yet, so I left the computer to prepare the activity I had planned. At that very moment, a bright sunbeam entered my house and I felt that Lord Surya was coming to my house to celebrate Deepavali.
On my way outside, feeling full of contentment, I contemplated the different forms of light I was receiving: the freshness of the air, a peaceful, brilliant wet meadow, the scintillating sound of a stream, the song of a bird, the crying of a baby, and the name of the rosebush I was going to plant this afternoon—
Grande Amore, “great love.”
Rodez, France
As I read Gurumayi’s poem, filled with the flavors of abundance for Deepavali, a wave of joy started to course through me. I read two lines, then stopped to savor them. As I did so, the nectarean words filled my being with peace, contentment, and a joy so huge that I could feel it all around me. I was filled with laughter. How beautiful! This is the best Diwali gift in all my life. Gurumayi’s poem gives me courage, a sense of abundance, and self-confidence; I feel I can face everything.
Montreal, Canada
I could feel my heart aflame with love and blessings as I read further and further, deeper and deeper, into this glorious poem. I imagine that each star in the night sky is a flame and that the sun, as it rises, is shining benevolent rays of Deepavali blessings upon the earth, and upon us all.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for showering us with your scintillating words and for always being the light by which I find my way.
Maine, United States
As my eyes danced over Gurumayi's poem, I couldn’t help but smile deeply. I felt her heart deep within me as I kept focusing on the poem. My mind couldn't understand the poem in the Hindi language, but my heart most certainly did. It brought me into Gurumayi's love, which enveloped me completely.
I felt gratitude for having been able to serve such a great Master, gratitude for all the practices I have had the great good fortune to do, gratitude for having received so much in spirit and soul, gratitude for having been lucky enough to learn about how to invite beauty and grace into my life, and gratitude for living with Gurumayi’s constant guidance and love.
New York, United States
Just last night, before going to bed, I inwardly asked Gurumayi if she had a message for Deepavali. And then this morning, I found this poem!
I was so happy to read this poem in the Hindi language; it felt like I was hearing this poem directly from Gurumayi in her own voice. Each letter of the poem brought tears to my eyes. I can't thank Gurumayi enough for her blessings through this poem.
I have made a promise to myself that I will accept the Guru's words and commands wholeheartedly, and will contemplate my life “from all 360 degrees.” At the end, when I saw Gurumayi's name in the colors of the lights of the Deepavali lamps, I experienced brilliant lights shining forth from the letters of her name and experienced that this light is filling my life with her grace. This is the best Deepavali gift I have received in my life.
I wish a
Shubh Deepavali to Gurumayi. And
Shubh Deepavali to everyone in the global Siddha Yoga
sangham!
Gandhinagar, India
Reading this poem this morning, I felt myself embraced by the feeling that Gurumayi was inside my heart. The lessons about life and dharma in this poem will shed light every day for me, in the form of guidance on the spiritual path that I am following with love.
Mersin, Turkey
How wonderful it was to see an authentic NASA star cluster photo illustrating this great Deepavali celebration! Even though I am unable to read Hindi, I could sense Gurumayi’s sweet love emanating from this beautiful poetic creation in its Hindi version. It is so palpable!
After all, truly there is only one universal language in this universe—the language of love.
St. Laurent, Canada