Gurumayi's words touch me deeply and feel cleansing in corners of my heart I was not so familiar with. They bring me sage advice as though from a dear friend who knows me very well and is responding to my need to understand and to be heard. Gurumayi’s wisdom soothes, heals, and uplifts me. I cherish this poem as a precious gift.
California, United States
As I read Gurumayi’s poem, I gave myself time to be present with it. Reading Gurumayi’s words, I could literally feel my ribcage expanding. I began to feel buoyant and open, as though some impediment to my heart had been removed. Now I have a renewed appreciation of the power of Gurumayi’s words, the power of her intention. I feel so grateful to Gurumayi for giving me the gift of a full and open heart—a wonderful way to celebrate the generosity and lightheartedness I associate with Deepavali.
Massachusetts, United States
My husband and I have just read Gurumayi’s beautiful Deepavali Benediction and her exuberant and heartfelt poem-blessing of love for us all, “May Joy Abound and Peace Resound on This Earth.” A few days ago I had read the poem silently. But just now, as my husband and I took turns reading the verses aloud and then singing out “
Shubh Deepavali!” between verses, the poem sprang into its full splendor with all its inspiration and blessings. We even spontaneously relished each of the sweets on the silver tray visible at the end, as Rohit inspired us to do!
Oregon, United States
I am so grateful for the
mahaprasad of this poem! I felt the Shakti and the power of festivity and celebration pulsing through every syllable. This celebration of Deepavali has given me the inspiration to truly surrender with jubilant abandon to the truth of ecstasy as the deepest reality. This poem has empowered me to take a seat in the spirit of festivity and celebration. In years past, I had a fear of doing this and so would hold back. So I also receive this
prasad as a form of purification of that old inability to celebrate.
Shri Guru knows every dark place within us, where she compassionately “eradicates impurities within and without… and sorrow is struck down by joy.”
Connecticut, United States
This beautiful poem filled my heart with gratitude for all the blessings that Gurumayi is showering upon all of us —blessings of happiness, peace, hope, goodness, and love. I know that with Guru's love and protection I have nothing to fear. I can fill my heart with an abundance of light, love, and joy and share it with everyone to make this Deepavali truly auspicious.
Mumbai, India
Gurumayi’s poem has shown me how to celebrate Deepavali in this time of uncertainty. The verses are uplifting, kind, gentle, and filled with love, as they build to a crescendo of blessing.
I want to celebrate this season of Deepavali through the delight of reading Gurumayi’s poem again and again with the intention "to make sure that light reaches all across the world."
North Carolina, United States
This poem is so beautiful, so true, so strong, and so full of love, joy, and harmony, that one cannot fail to be completely enchanted and moved to read it.
As I was reading these beautiful words, I felt joy, happiness, and love arise in my heart. They remind me of the beauty of life, and give me the strength to move forward and to help others. I felt all the love of the Guru as well as the deep devotion that binds me to the Guru.
Naples, Italy
This beautiful poem by Gurumayi gave me immense joy while reading it. My heart filled with so much love and devotion, and the conviction that we can do anything for our Mother Earth, for each person, for each animal on this planet; we can give our love to each other compassionately.
On this Deepavali I wish that everyone may be happy and healthy and that everyone may follow Baba’s teaching:
See God in each other.
Allahabad, India
I began reading this Deepavali blessing with a distracted mind. Verse by verse, though, it transformed me: I was not just reading the verses, but feeling them within my being, which left me in profound stillness.
All is well. All is light. All is divine, including my own inner Self.
Arizona, United States
This Deepavali gift from Gurumayi in the form of a poem was so welcoming and healing to my soul. Every word touched the deepest core of my heart as I visualized the unfolding of image after image filled with love and reaching out to one and all. I was in bliss. After a long pause of savoring this sweetness, I reread the poem once again, refining my understanding and surrendering at Gurumayi's feet.
Nairobi, Kenya
The blessings of Gurumayi ji on the festive occasion of Deepavali resonated for me in each word, each syllable of this poem. Then, seeing the plate full of delightful sweets at the end of the poem came as a complete surprise and added further to the sweet
rasa of the poem itself.
Due to the pandemic, we are avoiding our usual ritual of buying sweets from the market. But it had never occurred to me that Gurumayi ji would take care of even this minutest missing piece by providing a plateful of these sweets to all of us!
I feel doubly blessed on this festival.
Ghaziabad, India
Gurumayi's poetic words evoked in me an experience of the pure, serene, scintillating, and expansive realm of the Heart. Her
shakti-filled words transported me to Vaikuntha, reminded me of the precious gift of the inner light, and empowered me to travel and abide there. As I read each stanza, I was reminded again and again that, for me, abiding in Vaikuntha is to shine the light within on all.
Washington, United States
As I read Gurumayi’s beautiful poem, I could sense the ocean of compassion she is imparting to us. I feel gratitude for her immense love and grace in my life. I pray that through the guidance of her teachings I may offer compassion to everyone.
Kolkata, India
As I absorbed Gurumayi's poem in celebration of Divali, my body began to relax and sway in response to her exquisite words. Her invitation to connect with Shri Guru's light within and to share that light feels like a perfect way to live. Through Gurumayi's teachings, I see anew that this benevolent light is ever present. I remember that no matter what is happening on the outside, the more I turn toward the light of my heart, the more I understand that this light never goes out. Even in moments when I turn my attention away, the inner light continues to burn brightly. And when I turn back towards it and linger within it, my mind becomes calm. I can bask in its radiance. What a precious gift to receive at this time of celebration!
May I bring joy and peace into the world as an expression of my gratitude to Gurumayi.
South Yarra, Australia
I have been celebrating Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, my entire life, and yet this time, Shri Gurumayi's unbounded grace and unfailing guidance have enabled me to experience the joy and celebration of this festival as never before. I am so grateful for this amazing affirmation of joy, peace, and unity in the midst of the challenges so many of us are facing.
New York, United States
My heart is full of gratitude for Gurumayi’s blessings in the form of this poem. Receiving her words has changed my perception of celebrating Deepavali, and I am inspired to share the goodness of my heart in this world. I am reflecting on the ways in which Gurumayi has kindled the light of my heart and shown me that I need not go outside to find happiness. I need only turn toward the inner light to experience Shri Guru’s boundless love, blessings, and protection.
Shubh Deepavali!
Gandhinagar, India
This beautiful poem is a wonderful blessing, an inspiration, and a call to action. I read it almost breathlessly, each word creating a scintillating image in my mind, and then I read it again.
I had been wondering about Diwali this year, feeling confused, for the year has brought challenges to us all, of course, and continues to do so. I wondered, do we celebrate or do we not? How do we celebrate? These were the questions churning in my mind. Now, Shri Gurumayi has given me a directive, a solution. She has lit me up!
I shall read and reread this lyrical blessing again and again, and surely find my own way to celebrate with my family to share the light and love that is within me.
I offer my heartfelt gratitude to Gurumayi.
New Delhi, India
My heart is invigorated and filled with joy, love, and hope for endless opportunities to drop all limitations and share this light that Shri Gurumayi has lit in my heart, in my being.
I am asking myself how I can thank the Almighty for having my Guru in my life!
California, United States
As I read Gurumayi’s poem and moved stanza by stanza through this epic bouquet of love, light, and good wishes, I felt I was gliding on currents of Gurumayi's immeasurable love for humanity and her blessed intention for each one of us. With each line, it became undeniably clear to me that I am a being of light!
There is so much to love in this poem. I am drinking in the exquisite beauty of each image, soaking in the light, and celebrating this “empress of all festivity.” As I look at the night sky twinkling away, I feel there is no distance between the farthest star and the light in my own heart.
I am so very grateful to Gurumayi.
New York, United States
I am reading this auspicious poem every day, and each time I feel the generosity of Shri Gurumayi reaching out through the supreme gift of her poetic words.
I receive this heartfelt poem as a blessing for the soul, for the world, for each creature that lives on the earth, for the whole universe. It is a healing balm for my suffering. For me, it contains miracles.
I am so grateful to Gurumayi for bestowing her grace in the form of this poem, and for helping me perceive that this world is indeed the abode of God.
Milano, Italy
Tears came to my eyes as I envisioned my Lord, with his hand upon my head, sending waves of fearlessness through my being. I knew that God did not think twice when he chose to dwell in in my heart. He chose me and has been patiently waiting for me to realize fully that he is here!!
Gurumayi’s words resonated in me as I was reminded that joy lies within and that when I recognize this joy, it manifests in the world around me, spreading joy to those I encounter each day.
Missouri, United States
Once again, I am filled with awe and delight at how Gurumayi so sweetly and beautifully, both visually and with words, expands and deepens my understanding.
I am so grateful for the ways Gurumayi supports the world during this pandemic and keeps bringing us back to the Truth.
Florida, United States
Gurumayi’s words are a balm for my heart and soul. My dearest mother, who has been following the Siddha Yoga path for almost thirty years, is close to the end of her life. The image that Gurumayi painted of God’s hand on my head in the gesture of fearlessness gave me courage, for myself and for my mother. I will share this beautiful poem with her. I thank God for the Siddha Yoga path and for Gurumayi’s unending blessings and grace.
Guelph, Canada
What an amazing and inspiring poem!
I read and cherished every phrase describing the jubilation of Deepavali: the lamps, lights, sounds, sweets, fragrances, the offering of worship, giving to others, the love and devotion among family and friends, and so much more. As I read, I felt Gurumayi showering us with blessings. I saw a path being illuminated for me, and I was uplifted to the serenity of the Self.
California, United States
I wept as I read this beautiful poem! I realized that it is up to me to create love in my universe. And I can do that by respecting others, purifying my mind, loving myself, and accepting the grace of the Guru. The poem also reminded me that I am light, and that spreading this light is essential. How could I have ever imagined it differently?
Pennsylvania, United States