When I reflected on Gurumayi’s teaching “Lord Shiva likes his name,” my first thought was how much I love hearing Gurumayi say my name. I have often wondered why. I think it’s because when Gurumayi says my name, I experience her teaching that I am the Self, I am God.
Similarly, I think one reason the Lord loves his name so much is that when I repeat it with sincerity, I am giving voice to our essential oneness as the Self and calling upon that state to arise within me.
Langwarrin, Australia
In 2005, while participating in a Blue Pearl Course where we repeated the mantra Om Namah Shivaya with great focus, I had a direct experience of Lord Shiva’s infinite compassion.
Shiva appeared in my meditation as a very handsome being made of pure blue light, with magnificent eyes and remarkable dark slim eyebrows.
What was most amazing to me was to feel deep inside that I was actually looking at myself. Indeed, I very spontaneously and completely identified with this absolutely splendid being who had a gentle smile on his face.
Irresistible tears of joy started rolling down my cheeks, and I was permeated by a sweet state of bliss. The experience was both powerful and absolutely natural.
I was Shiva himself, and there was nothing strange or awkward about it. This is who I am, and who I always was, and who I always will be. This moment of sudden recognition of my own Self instantly transformed forever my understanding of the ultimate goal of my life.
Laval, Canada
“Lord Shiva likes his name.” Contemplating this teaching, I asked myself, “Who is Shiva?” What came up for me—which our Guru teaches—is “I am Shiva.”
To me, Shiva is not just a name; it is a state of being. It is the ultimate state in which my mind is seeking to be established. In this state, my mind dissolves, and I become pure sat-chit-ananda (existence-consciousness-bliss). For me, that is what Shiva is.
Pune, India
When I hear Gurumayi say that the Lord likes his name and that he is very pleased when we call to him using his name, I feel a childlike love deep in my heart. I’m in my seventies, and it makes my heart smile with delight. It reminds me of the way I felt when I was very young, and I found out what my dad wanted for his birthday—and I could actually get it for him. I felt so much love for him, and so much happiness that I could do something sweet for him. Now that I know how much the Lord likes his name, I just want to offer him what will please him the most.
And now, doing japa with great love and with no desire is changing me. It’s softening me in unexpected and beautiful ways. How could I do any less for God who does so much for me?
California, United States
