I have learned by heart Gurumayi’s benedictions at the culmination of her poem so that I can return to them throughout my day. Sometimes I repeat them imagining that Gurumayi is speaking to me specifically and I feel tenderly linked to her inner presence.
I also love to rephrase the blessings into a first-person version so that they become affirmations to tell myself, such as “I experience peacefulness amidst all the happenings and not-happenings in my life." As I do this, I sense that I am welcoming every word deeper into my being, confirming its meaning with an inward “Yes!” And I love envisioning the seven chakras in the body as I repeat the words, since I feel that the quality of each chakra matches perfectly with each of the seven sentences.
Each time I repeat Gurumayi’s blessings, I feel a shift taking place: I experience myself as more present in the moment and more empowered to approach my life with the support of Gurumayi’s wisdom and love.
Katzenbach, Germany
I have been taking refuge in Gurumayi’s poem for the past week. I like the part where she invites us to give up hopelessness and look to rebuilding self-confidence. I like her words reminding us “to visualize how the warmth of your heart is spreading goodness in all directions.” I intend to practice this. And I cherish Gurumayi’s benediction and blessings at the end of the poem.
New York, United States
I have been listening to and contemplating this poem before bed and at other times during the celebration of
Deepavali. Last night, I offered my
pranam before my
puja and instinctively went to receive the blessings of the flame by passing my hands over it. I had not lit the candle on my
puja that evening. Nevertheless, as I passed my hands over the unlit flame and then held them to my eyes and over my head, I felt the same sensation of warmth and grace blessing me. I had the awareness that the light of God is in every cell in the universe.
Watson, Australia
I went through Gurumayi’s poem several times both in English and Hindi. It came as a Deepavali gift for me. I was completely immersed in each word. Listening to the recordings in both languages brought me further clarity.
From each stanza, I received one focused teaching for myself, which I journaled about and continued to contemplate. Every moment was pulsating with the poem’s refrain: “Light is what matters / Light is the nucleus of the Deepavali festivity.” For the first time I could understand what Deepavali actually means for me.
A few days later I participated in the Siddha Yoga Shaktipat Intensive. I felt as if the teachings in Gurumayi’s poem were a preparation for me to go deeper in my understanding of Baba’s teachings in the Intensive and finally to relate everything to Gurumayi’s Message for 2024.
I envision Gurumayi connecting all these, weaving them together for
sadhakas all around the world.
Thane, India
On Deepavali I lit a few candles. One of them had a very tiny flame. Usually I would get some wax out to make the flame brighter, but this time I remembered Gurumayi’s words from her Deepavali poem: “The size matters not” and “Light is what matters.” So I just watched this tiny flame.
It was blue with a golden cap in the form of a kalash (like the one atop the Temple in Shree Muktananda Ashram) and the wick was black. Sometimes the flame was completely motionless and sometimes it danced. It reminded me of Krishna, “the dark one,” with the blue shimmer and a golden crown. I was fascinated. Watching from above, I saw a blue circle with a golden dot in the center—like a simple, tiny rangoli made of light. My heart became very silent while dancing at the same time. It was mystical. I felt the spirit of Deepavali—and so much gratitude for Gurumayi’s poem along with all her good wishes for us.
Munich, Germany
As the Deepavali festival comes to a close, I continue to read and listen to and breathe in this poem again and again, each time receiving something new. I am blessed, indeed, to have a Guru who gives me these teachings in such a work of art, subtly drawing my “attention to illumination,” holding me in an “attitude of illumination.”
Shubh Deepavali!
Oregon, United States
Over the past few months, I have been working on increasing my own confidence and facing up to my responsibilities with dignity and enthusiasm. When I read Gurumayi’s teaching that by letting go of “anything that keeps you from recognizing your own light, you’ll experience your self-confidence rebuilding itself naturally,” I felt that she was speaking directly to me. I feel that I have the Guru’s grace and support in my efforts to truly experience my inner light. What a precious gift!
Michigan, United States
Gurumayi’s poem lit me up with wonderment. As I read the title, I wondered, “What is light made of? What is the nature of light?”
I researched these questions and discovered that light does not require a medium (like air or water) to travel through; it can travel through space and exist independently of material objects. The image in the poem transported me into this space, to the experience of cosmic light.
I learned that in the absence of matter, light can still be present as a stream of photons. When light interacts with objects or particles, it can be absorbed, reflected, or refracted, which affects how we perceive it. For me this reveals the path to recognition of the Self. Reflection of light is what enables us to see everything around us. Reflection of the Self enables us to see God in everything and everyone around us.
I feel deep inside the light of my Guru witnessing the enlightening light of Deepavali within me though her enchanting words.
Waterville, Canada
When I read Gurumayi’s delightful poem while listening to the background music, I was moved. I felt tenderness because I don’t always manage to stay aware of the light inside, but when it happens, it feels miraculous.
I focused on “The light of a gift given to those in need” and “The light of healing extended to those who are sick or suffering” because I have known darkness many times in my life, but now there is so much light. My wish is that others can have the same good fortune of knowing the light everywhere. How true it is that a sweet smile of kindness can uplift people.
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
I have been listening to Gurumayi’s poem each day, drawing in its teaching. After participating in the Shaktipat Intensive, I listened again. Gurumayi’s refrain, “Light is what matters,” stood out to me. This time I saw it from a unique angle—light creating matter. All matter is of light!
Alaska, United States
The image accompanying Gurumayi’s wonderful poem “The Matter of Light” immediately transports my awareness of my tiny self to a cosmic awareness of my true potential. It is extraordinarily beautiful!
Richmond, United Kingdom
Gurumayi ji's poem inspired me to sit for meditation. In meditation the words element of light were resonating within me. To be with these words, I gradually went inward. I experienced that I am not a mere physical body. I felt some warmth traveling from head to toe in the very center of my body. I became still in the moment. This warmth was so deep. I was enjoying being in its presence.
Suddenly, I experienced the particles of light in my whole being sparkling around. I experienced the light in and out and everywhere. That was such a joyous moment! Now, while I do my daily activities, that warmth and the power are still with me, keeping me in a state where everything is resonating with the light and I am feeling oneness with the warmth in my being and in my surroundings.
This is amazing and giving me the experience of the continuous presence of my Guru. I thank Gurumayi ji from the core of my heart.
Delhi, India
I loved the fountain of light at the end of Gurumayi’s poem “The Matter of Light.” It was unexpectedly joyous—“over the top” in its happiness! It captured the teachings of the poem in such a beautiful way. I paused for a long time to drink it all in. I felt that Gurumayi was whispering in my ear, “Become the light, live in the light—this is how you will truly live the life that God intended for you.”
Vancouver, Canada
While reading Gurumayi’s poem for Deepavali, my attention turned inward when I read the words nur ilahi, which mean “the light of God.” On doing self-inquiry, I realized that, to help us celebrate Deepavali, Gurumayi ji is guiding us to see “the nucleus” of inner light. I felt deep silence and I connected with the inner illumination.
I am grateful to Gurumayi for the light of
shaktipat and for her blessings.
Hyderabad, India
As I read Gurumayi’s poem, my whole being is filled with little light particles sparkling in me. I want to thank Gurumayi for being my shining star and guiding me through my days and nights with divine light. I hope that each day will be filled with this sparkling light for me to give and to receive.
Florence, Italy
I feel light embracing and flowing through me as I listen to and read this beautiful gift from Gurumayi.
Central Desert, Australia
As I was reading my Guru’s poem, I felt I was sitting under a lush green tree and this shimmering golden light was passing through me as if there was no difference between me and the light. All around and in every cell of my being, I intensely felt my Shri Guru’s love. As I continued reading, my eyes were filled with gratitude toward my Guru. I felt as if Gurumayi ji was directly whispering in my ears the enlightened knowledge of the poem’s refrain: “Light is what matters.”
Nadiad, India
Last week, as I walked to the front of my house, I was amazed by the sunlight that illuminated the red leaves of the Japanese maple tree I planted a few years ago. I felt welcomed into my heart. Somehow, the tree told me that Deepavali, the festival of lights, was coming soon.
As I read Gurumayi’s poem, my mind was filled with the magic of light, which brought me into the atmosphere of Deepavali. Every morning, I light a candle with the certainty that this light is inside all the ingredients of the breakfast I’m going to eat. I know that, although hidden, the light of Consciousness shines in every particle of the universe as in the stars and I strive to keep this awareness.
I understand that this light holds the power of transformation. Without fire, there is no bread. Without gastric fire, there is no digestion. Without sunlight, there is no photosynthesis. Above all, my inner flame, lit by my Guru, reveals my divinity.
Rodez, France
As I listened to Gurumayi’s loving poem and let her words guide me into the realm of light, my heart and soul were deeply touched by Gurumayi’s wisdom, love, blessings, and compassion for all of us. I felt how close she is to me in everything I feel and experience, and how much that means to me.
I will enjoy taking the time to contemplate Gurumayi’s poem in detail to absorb all the exciting shooting stars of light illuminating my soul.
Konolfingen, Switzerland
Ah! Such a beautiful, powerful poetic experience! I listened rapt to the sound of the reading. When I heard the word yearning, I began to weep, even while smiling at the delicious watery words for light’s lovely liquid ways. I began to physicalize them!
My mind was surprised by the word precision in Gurumayi’s closing blessing. Contemplating it, as I lit and waved the incense and then the candle to her picture, I felt the gifts of presence and one-pointedness that the word conjured in my actions.
Later, I scrolled down below Gurumayi’s signature, and laughed with joy at the image of the golden vessel cascading “star-beams” of light. Yes! We can live like that in this world. That is who we truly are.
I am very thankful to Shri Guru for this precious gift. My heart has received a divine invitation to prepare in a new way for this festival of light, to begin celebrating now, and ”to find and kindle light”—as Gurumayi says—all year long.
Washington, United States
Such magic in Gurumayi’s words! From the first word to the last, it’s as if a divine balm trickles drop by drop upon my heart, leaving it soaked with love, peace, and contentment. I am left enraptured, my heart so alive that its vibrancy imposes itself on my consciousness. Pure grace is blessing me with the darshan of the Truth, in my own home. Shubh Deepavali!
Cherbourg, France
The stanza in which Gurumayi uses water imagery to describe light resonated deeply for me. I immediately thought of a phrase that is often used in the Russian language, my native tongue. Its literal translation into English is “to spill the light onto something.” The phrase also means “to reveal something” or “to educate someone about something.” This expression is about illumining the truth or revealing certain information, but the literal translation of the Russian phrase is “to spill the light” as if light can be spilled like water.
I am grateful to Gurumayi for using this beautiful imagery.
Russian Federation
I am so grateful for the light of this marvelous poem! I feel transformed by its scope, spirit, and immense grace. I would like to read this every day to rekindle my sense of awe for light in all its mysterious forms! For me, this poem is an eternal flame of much needed hope.
Arizona, United States
I so appreciate Gurumayi’s gorgeous Deepavali poem with its invitation to perceive the light so thoroughly. As I was reading the poem, I saw and felt the elements of nature that Gurumayi was describing, as if the landscape were before my eyes and the sun’s luminosity were reflecting through my own mind.
I felt the power and beauty of Gurumayi’s intention and prayer for us all. Gurumayi reaches into my heart so deeply through her words, intentions, and love. I feel it is because of her grace that my mind and heart can perceive so deeply. I am so grateful that my soul was guided to this extraordinary path.
New Jersey, United States
What an absolutely amazing Deepavali gift this poem is! I experience that each word is steeped in Gurumayi’s love. I feel so fortunate to have Gurumayi’s grace and compassion in my life.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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